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hu (Chinese: 壺; pinyin: hú) is a type of wine vessel that has an pear-shaped cross-section. Its body swells and flares into a narrow neck, creating S-shaped profile. While it is similar to you vessel, hu usually has a longer body and neck. The shape of hu probably derives from its ceramic prototype prior to the Shang dynasty (1600-1400 BC). They usually have handles on the top or rings attached to each side of neck. Many extant hu lack lids while those excavated in such tombs as Fu Hao's indicate that this type of vessel might be originally made with lids. Although it is more often to see hu having a circular body, there also appears hu in square and flat rectangular forms, called fang hu and bian hu in Chinese. In addition, hu often came to be found in a pair or in a set together with other types of vessels. As wine had played an important part in the Shang ritual, the hu vessel might be placed in the grave of an ancestor as part of ritual in order to ensure a good relationship with ancestor's spirit.

Shang Period (1600-1400 BC)
The bronze hu vessel has not been found prior to the Shang period. During this period, there are mainly two types of hu vessels. One has a small mouth and long neck; the other has wide mouth and flat ovoid cross-section. The décor on the hu in the Shang period was dominated by taotie motif and leiwen thunder pattern. Square form of hu began to appear in the end of the Shang dynasty. Because this form of hu is still uncommon at this time, its appearance in the tomb probably marks the owner’s wealth and social status.

Western Zhou Period (1045-771 BC)
Hu in the Western Zhou period was undergone several changes. Larger hu vessels seem to become more common after the first half of mid-Western Zhou. This is possibly a response to changes in ritual. Nevertheless, hu from the Western Zhou dynasty still mainly served as a wine vessel for the uses of ritual. In addition to the change in size, hu's previous taotie design was gradually replaced by other types of animal and geometric décor. Hu found during this time were often not from tombs, but hoards left by Zhou people, who buried their precious possessions before nomadic people's invasion. Therefore, the vessels' burial context provides less clues about their functions and meanings.

Eastern Zhou Period (770-256 BC)
The East Zhou dynasty was subdivided into two periods: Spring and Autumn period (770-476 B.C.) and Warring States Period (475-221 B.C.). The East Zhou witnessed the decline of central government and the rise of feudal states. It is a time of political disunity. Powerful feudal lords barely paid allegiance to Zhou kings, whose domain drastically dwindled during this time. This political situation reflects in the development of hu vessels. With the rise of local power, the regional bronze making flourished on a large scale and played an important role in forming new styles. By the late Spring and Autumn period the decoration of the vessels in some regions had reflected the influence of animal style art from Central Asian nomads. In addition, bronzes from places such as Xinzheng, Henan Province, Liyu Shanxi Province, and Houma, Shanxi Province in the Spring and Autumn period show regional hu style characterized by interlaced dragon motif.

Another development of hu vessel is that although the vessel was still used for ancestral sacrifice, it began to take on a more secular and personal usage. This seems to be evidenced by the appearance of representational décor, beginning in the Warring State Period. Hu with such pictorial illustrations were often made out copper inlay. In addition, the shape of the vessel was occasionally modified, taking on a more square appearance. While the use of inlay in making bronze have appeared since the Shang dynasty, it was not until the Warring States period that saw the flowering of inlay style. Compared to other bronze vessels, the inlay technique was especially lavishly employed to create hu vessels. The sumptuous display of colors achieved by means of inlay became an essential feature of hu at this time.

Later Developments
Unlike other types of bronze vessels, hu continued to be cast in the Han dynasty. They were still lavishly applied with gold inlay and decorated with interlace of zoomorphic and geometric patterns. However, after Han, they mainly appear in ceramic form. In addition, their function was no longer tied to ritual offerings and is utilitarian for daily life. Hu never disappears in Chinese history. The production of them continues today.

Shang Period
Bronze hu


 * Period: Shang dynasty
 * Date: ca. 1300-1045 B.C.
 * Dimension: H: 35.9 cm

Bronze hu
 * Period: Shang dynasty
 * Date: ca. 1300-1030 B.C.
 * Dimension: H: 34.8 cm

Fu Hao hu
 * Period: late Shang period
 * Date: ca. 1300-1030 B.C.
 * Location: Tomb of Fu Hao, Anyang, Henan Province
 * Dimension: H: 51.5 cm

Excavated from the tomb of Fu Hao, this hu vessel was decorated with seven registers. The taotie in these registers were raised in high relief against the flattened leiwen pattern. The vertical flange in the center and horizontal divisions among registers clearly separate the decorative details into compartments. These renderings of the vessel bring forth a clear view of taotie. The name of Fu Hao was inscribed on the bottom of the bronze. This work exemplifies the style of hu in the late Shang period.

Western Zhou Period
Bronze hu
 * Period: Early Western Zhou period
 * Date: ca. 1000 B.C.
 * Dimension: H: 41.3 cm

Hu wine vessel of Yin-gou
 * Period: Mid-Western Zhou period
 * Date: ca. 900-800 B.C.
 * Dimension: H: 58.5 cm

Bronze hu
 * Period: Late Western Zhou period
 * Date: ca. 800 B.C.
 * Dimension: H: 45.5 cm

Pair of Hu
 * Period: Late Western Zhou period
 * Date: ca. late 800-700 B.C.
 * Dimension: H: 54.9 cm

Eastern Zhou Period
Bronze hu
 * Period: Spring and Autumn Period
 * Date: ca. 700 B.C.
 * Location: Jingshan Xian, Hubei Province
 * Dimension: H: 66 cm

This bronze is one of pairs found in a hoard at Jingshan in Hubei Province. The body of the vessel was decorated with wave patterns flowing unbroken throughout the surface. The frieze on the neck was composed of two gui dragons in a symmetrical layout. The rendering of this vessel continues the bronze style of the late Western Zhou.

Bronze Fang (square) hu
 * Period: Spring and Autumn Period
 * Date: ca. 600-500 B.C.
 * Location: Xinzheng, Henan Province
 * Dimension: H: 118 cm

Bronze hu
 * Period: Late Spring and Autumn Period
 * Date: ca. early 400 B.C.
 * Location: Liyu, Shanxi Province
 * Dimension: H: 44.3 cm

Bronze Fang (square) hu
 * Period: Warring States Period
 * Date: ca. 300 B.C.
 * Location: Jincun, Henan Province
 * Dimension: H: 52.6 cm

Bronze Fang (square) hu
 * Period: Warring States Period
 * Date: ca. 300 B.C.
 * Location: Shan Xian, Henan Province
 * Dimension: H: 53 cm

Bronze hu
 * Period: Warring States Period
 * Date: ca. 400 B.C.
 * Location: possibly from Liuli, Henan Province
 * Dimension: H: 39.9 cm

This bronze features the decor of hunting activities. Cast in flat relief against a plain background, the decor was divided into eight registers. Beginning from the top, the second and fifth registers represent animal masks in arabesque forms. Close to the rim of the vessel was a register filled with the image of bird. Other ornaments illustrate humans engaged in hunting activities. Holding various weapons, they are all in the motion to slay animals. This decor of the vessel introduces the style borrowed from Steppe culture of Central Asia.