hu BM-1972-0229.1.a

Period:Eastern Zhou dynasty Production date:5thC BC (circa)
Materials:bronze
Technique:
Subjects:animal plant
Dimensions:Diameter: 26 centimetres (base only) Diameter: 9.30 centimetres (top section only) Diameter: 26 centimetres Height: 44 centimetres (base only (on stand)) Height: 51.20 centimetres (on stand) Height: 8.60 centimetres (top section only) Weight: 7.30 kilograms (base only) Weight: 1.55 kilograms (top section only) Weight: 8.90 kilograms

Description:
Bronze vessel of the type called hu. This hu is one of a pair and known due to its inscription as Zhao Meng jie hu. Bands of layered interlace separated by roped borders cover the entire vessel. A taotie face composed of snakes was added to the interlace on the lowest band of decoration. A pair of tigers provides the handles. An openwork crowns in the shape of a lotus flower forms the lid. The vessels are damaged, particularly in the lower half, and have lost the bottom sections of their foot-rings.
IMG


Comments:Rawson 1987:The inscription around the corner of the rim of the lid of this delicately cast hu, which is one of a pair, records a meeting with the King of Wu at Huangchi in the year 482 BC. There are considerable differences of opinion about the interpretation of the inscription. However, it is accepted that the reference to the meeting, at which an alliance between the states of Jin and Wu was renewed, is correct. Zhao Meng, an individual named in the inscription, was a minister in Jin, and the vessels are characteristic of Jin casting. The vessels are said to have been found at Hui Xian in Henan province.The precise date of the events described helps to establish the chronology of Jin state bronzes, especially of the type called Liyu, now known to have been made at a foundry at Houma in Shanx province. The hu belong to a fairly advanced stage, in which engaging taotie faces composed of snakes, such as the one seen on the Lü bell (no. 33), were added to layered interlace developed in several parts of China, including the territories along the east coast (Fig. 23) and the central southern area dominated by Chu (Fig. 26). Openwork crowns and tiger or dragon handles with reverted heads descended from Western Zhou models and were employed on Eastern Zhou hu in many parts of China. The vessels are damaged, particularly in the lower half, and have lost the bottom sections of their foot-rings.