Early Western Zhou dynasty BC1046-771

Gui food container with square base and phoenix pattern

Height: 28.2 cm

Gui vessels and ding cauldrons were important types of bronze food containers often used together. Cauldrons used to hold meat, while gui vessels held cooked rice, maize, and other grains. Based on their feet, bronze "gui" from the Shang and Zhou dynasties can be divided into five types: round, square, four feet, three feet, and raised round base. Square-base gui were most popular in the early Western Zhou period, when they were produced in a wide range of forms and decorated with rich and beautiful patterns. They are an excellent example of the cultural importance attached to food in the ritual systems of the Western Zhou dynasty. Scholars believe that there are slightly more than 100 square-base gui in existence today, most of which were unearthed in the western area of lower Wei River valley from some of the larger graves discovered there, indicating that of the many forms of ritual vessels, square-base "gui" held a high status.

The shape of this work was based on the double-handled, round circular-base gui from the late Shang dynasty, though here a square base was added below the form. This style ensured that bronze gui in the early Western Zhou dynasty were taller and more imposing than those of the late Shang dynasty. It also explains why whereas in the late Shang dynasty ceremonial vessels tended to focus more on wine, in the early Western Zhou period the vessels began to reflect a greater attention on food. This style of vessel decoration reveals the prevalent style of the early Western Zhou period. The shape and decoration of the vessel handles is special: 18 water buffalo heads in relief. The extensive use of water buffalo heads to decorate the handles and square base of the gui was a popular style for bronze ceremonial vessels in the area around the royal capital (near modern-day Baoji City) during the reign of King Wu and King Cheng of the early Western Zhou period. The magnificent splendor of such pieces is indicative of the atmosphere that prevailed at the establishment of the Zhou dynasty.