Tags: bronzes | National Palace Museum | Shang dynasty | vessel

Late Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 BC)
Height: 39.1 cm, rim diameter: 29.9 cm 
 
Cast "Ya-ch'ou" vessels have often been excavated from Su-pu-tun in I-tu, Shantung, so scholars believe that "Ya-ch'ou" represents the "Po-ku" clan mentioned in the ancient "Tso-ch'uan" text. Flourishing in the late Shang period, this clan was exterminated by King Ch'eng in the early Western Chou. About forty percent of the surviving cast vessels inscribed with "Ya-ch'ou" are rectangular vessels, sharing along with rectangular vessels excavated from the tomb of Fu Hao renown in the developing splendor of late Shang bronze vessel shapes.

 
Text and images are provided by National Palace Museum