offerkärl, kärl, vessel

K-12282
You - wine vessel, with lid, for sacrificial use. Bronze. Vessel in the shape of two owls, standing back-to-back. Elliptical cross-section.The lid representing the birds´ heads. with two taotie-masks in relief. The body with four small legs and two handles. The birds' wings in relief. The knob of the lid decorated with cicadas.
Shang, Middle Anyang Period.
Extensive repairs. Greenish patina with reddish spots. Incrustations.

2. You - offerkärl för rusdryck i form av två ugglor. Brons
You - wine vessel in the shape of two owls, for sacrificial use. Bronze

Shang, Mellersta Anyang-perioden, 1100-talet f Kr. Inköpt av J.-G. Andersson 1936-38 i Kina. K-12282

Ritual Wine Ewer in the form of Owls 梟卣

Owls have been represented in the material culture of China, possibly as early as the Neolithic Yangshao culture (c. 5500 – 3500 BCE), and remain common through the Han dynasty (202 BCE – 220 CE). Their representation is particularly prevalent during the Shang dynasty – during the early Bronze Age of China, which is when this wine ewer was made. Although we do not know for sure the symbolism of these birds at that time, the contexts in which they are depicted suggests they had a function within the belief system of the Shang people.

Bronze was an extremely valuable material during the Bronze Age. During the time, this ewer was made, the ingredients needed for making bronze came from far and wide and required a powerful ruler to make it possible. Therefore, bronze as a material represented power.

This type of ritual vessel is called a you (卣) and was used for containing alcohol in offering ceremonies to the royal ancestors. It was believed that royal ancestors had power in the afterlife to affect the world of the living. By appeasing the royal ancestors, they could have a beneficial effect on the country, which also legitimized the rule of the king.