Wine Container with Interlacing Dragons in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, July 2017

Wine Container (Zhong) with Interlacing Dragons

Object Details

Period: Western Han dynasty (206 B.C.–A.D. 9)

Culture: China

Medium: Bronze with silver and gold parcel gilding

Dimensions: H. 23 7/16 in. (59.5 cm); Diam. 14 9/16 in. (37 cm); Wt. 35.8 lb. (16.3 kg)

Classification: Metalwork

Credit Line: Lent by Hebei Provincial Museum


This extraordinary vessel was unearthed from the tomb of Prince Liu Sheng. One of the most important archaeological discoveries of the Han period, the tomb yielded numerous luxury objects that illuminate the magnificence of Han craftsmanship. The pattern of stylized dragons and phoenixes shares similarities with earlier Qin motifs. An inscription on its underside indicates that it was used at the kitchen of the Prince of Chu, who attended the Rebellion of the Seven States in 154 B.C. It was probably a trophy presented to Liu Sheng after his father, the Emperor Jing (r. 157–141 B.C.), quashed the rebellion.

Text from: www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/640888