Water Ewer (He)
Eastern Zhou dynasty, Warring States period (480–221 B.C.), 4th century B.C.
Medium
Bronze with copper inlay
Dimensions
25.4 × 21 cm (10 1/8 × 8 1/4 in.); Diam.: 21 cm (8 1/4 in.)
Classification
ewer (vessel)
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
5410
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Whereas this type of water ewer is found together with wine vessels in tombs of the Shang period, it typically appears with a shallow water basin (pan) in Zhou tombs. This change in burial context suggests a change in function—from a vessel used to dilute wine to one used to pour ablutions. In this imaginative, finely cast example, various creatures assume different parts: bird-men (or men with birdlike headdresses) form the legs; a bird's head acts as the spout; and on the lid, a small monkey g...
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...