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Ram's-head Lei with Hooks and Dots

Tags: bronzes | National Palace Museum | vessel | Yin Period

 

Late Yin period (1300-1046 BC)
Height: 37.3 cm, rim diameter: 31.3 cm 
 
The shoulder decoration of ram heads in high relief is similar to that found on a bronze lei vessel excavated from Hsin-chin in Kiangsi. The protruding k'uei dragons on the shoulder, the standing birds in the shoulder decoration, and the hooks and flanges on the body are also similar to the method of decoration on a tsun vessel excavated from the more southerly area of Hua-jung in Hunan. For these reasons, this lei actually represents the southern style of bronze vessels in the Shang dynasty.

Text: Yu Kuo-ching

 
Text and images are provided by National Palace Museum