Goblet
Shang dynasty ( about 1600–1046 BC ), 12th/11th centry BC
Medium
Bronze
Dimensions
19.7 × 16.5 × 8 cm (7 3/4 × 6 1/2 × 3 1/4 in.)
Classification
ceremonial object
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
73201
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
This vessel, with a carefully balanced spout and pointed rim, was probably used to heat and pour wine during ceremonies of ancestor worship. The second character of the inscription, showing four footprints around a square, has been read by scholars as a family name.
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...