Shi zun (Chinese: 豕尊; pinyin: Shǐ Zūn) is an ancient Chinese ritual bronze zun vessel, shaped like a boar, from the late Shang dynasty (1600–1046 BC). It was excavated in 1981 from Chuanxingshan, Xiangtan County, Hunan and now is preserved in the Hunan Museum.[1][2]
Shi zun | |
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豕尊 | |
Material | Bronze |
Long | 72-centimetre (28 in) |
Height | 40-centimetre (16 in) |
Weight | 30-kilogram (66 lb) |
Created | Shang dynasty (1600–1046 BC) |
Discovered | 1981 Chuanxingshan, Xiangtan County, Hunan, China |
Discovered by | Zhu Guiwu (朱桂武) |
Present location | Hunan Museum |
The Shi zun is 72-centimetre (28 in) long, 40-centimetre (16 in) high and weighs 30-kilogram (66 lb). It is shaped like a wild boar with two tusks. It has an oval opening on the top and a hollow interior. Its whole body is decorated with patterns of scutes, clouds, dragons and animal faces.[2][3]
A zun is a kind of wine vessel. There are many theories about why it is made from bronze, including to exorcise evil spirits, to please the gods, or as a medium of communication between man and gods.[2]
In early 1981, Zhu Guiwu (朱桂武), a Hunanese villager from Chuanxingshan of Xiangtan County, discovered the Shi zun when he dug the foundation of his new house. It was identified by the cultural relics department as a Shang dynasty Chinese ritual bronze zun vessel.[2]