Hsin Chi X tsun

Western Chou dynasty, ca. 10th century B.C.
Height: 17.2 cm Mouth diameter: 17.5 cm Weight: 1965 g

This goblet with splayed foot, curved sides and flaring mouth is more similar to the chih type than to the tsun. The principle decor on the belly is a pair of confronting birds with raised tails. The decorative strands around the birds are ornamented with circles as though to suggest the eyes of peacocks' feathers. Two small, sculptured heads are placed in the neck band above each confronted pair of long-tailed birds. In the ogives above the neck-zone there are broad bands conforming to the outline and terminating in volutes, making no zoomorphic formations. The brief inscription reads: "Hsin Chi X had this identical set of ritual vessels made."

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