Shi zun

Shi zun is an ancient Chinese ritual bronze zun vessel, shaped like a boar, 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.

Description


The Shi zun is 72 cm long, 40 cm high and weighs 30 kg. It is shaped like a wild boar with two tusks. It has an oval opening on the top and a hollow interior. Its whole body is decorated with patterns of scutes, clouds, dragons and animal faces.

Function
A zun is a kind of wine vessel. There are many theories about why it is made from bronze, including to exorcise evil spirits, to please the gods, or as a medium of communication between man and gods.

Discovery
In early 1981, Zhu Guiwu, a Hunanese villager from Chuanxingshan of Xiangtan County, discovered the Shi zun when he dug the foundation of his new house. It was identified by the cultural relics department as a Shang dynasty Chinese ritual bronze zun vessel.