Shi zun

Shi zun
豕尊
The Shi zun is exhibited in the Hunan Museum.
Material Bronze
Long 72-centimetre (28 in)
Height 40-centimetre (16 in)
Weight 30-kilogram (66 lb)
Created Shang dynasty (1600–1046 BC)
Discovered 1981
Chuanxingshan, Xiangtan County, Hunan, China
Discovered by Zhu Guiwu (朱桂武)
Present location Hunan Museum

Shi zun (Chinese: 豕尊; pinyin: Shǐ Zūn) is an ancient Chinese ritual bronze zun vessel from the late Shang dynasty (1600–1046 BC). It was excavated in 1981 from Chuanxingshan, Xiangtan County, Hunan and now is preserved in the Hunan Museum.[1][2]

Description

Shi zun.

The Shi zun is 72-centimetre (28 in) long, 40-centimetre (16 in) high and weights 30-kilogram (66 lb). It looks like a wild boar, not a pig, because it has two tusks. It has an oval mouth on the top and it's hollow inside it. Its eyes look steadily at the front, the tusks are exposed, two ears are upright, the tail is straight, and its limbs are strong. Its whole body is decorated with patterns of scutes, clouds, dragons and animal faces.[2][3]

Function

Zun is a kind of wine vessel. There are many expressions about the function of the bronze, such as exorcising evil spirits, making the gods happy and a medium of communication between man and gods.[2]

Discovery

In early 1981, Zhu Guiwu (朱桂武), a Hunanese villager from Chuanxingshan of Xiangtan County, discovered the Shi zun when he dug the foundation of his new house. After the identification of the cultural relics department, it was confirmed that the Shi zun is a Shang dynasty Chinese ritual bronze zun vessel.[2]

References

  1. ↑ 铜猪尊. beijingreview.com.cn (in Chinese). 2008-11-05.
  2. 1 2 3 4 商代豕形猪尊. hnmuseum.com (in Chinese). 2017.
  3. ↑ 青铜豕尊(图). 163.com (in Chinese). 2012-07-12.

Further reading

  • Li Song (2015). Chinese Bronze Ware: A Mirror of Culture. Beijing: China Intercontinental Press. ISBN 9787508533766.
  • Christian Deydier (2016). 《读懂中国青铜器：文化、形式、功能与图案》 [Understanding Ancient Chinese Bronzes: Their Importance in Chinese Culture, Their Shapes, Functions and Motifs] (in English and Chinese). Beijing: Yilin Press. ISBN 9787544752114.
  • 《中国青铜器全集：商代》 [Complete Works of Chinese Bronze Wares: Shang Dynasty] (in Chinese). Beijing: Cultural Relics Publishing House. 2005. ISBN 9787501010363.
  • Jin Weinuo (2010). 《中国美术全集：青铜器》 [Complete Works of Chinese Art: Bronze Ware] (in Chinese). Anhui: Huangshan Publishing House. ISBN 9787546113722.
  • Liu Wei; Duan Guoqiang; Peng Shifan (2016). 《中国艺术史图典·青铜器卷》 [History of Chinese Art: Bronze Ware] (in Chinese). Shanghai: Shanghai Lexicographical Publishing House. ISBN 9787532647958.
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