Bowl yu
Despite their relatively small number in tombs from the Anyang period (c. 1300 – c. 1050 BC), compared to other types of vessels such as cups gu, cups Thu, the tripods ding or the vases gui, bowls yu are forms well known under the Shang (c. 1550 – c. 1050 BC). There are indeed many examples at this time, both in bronze and in ceramic. With a silhouette similar to that of gui, apart from the absence of handles, the yu could be promised, like the latter, to contain cereals when used in rituals. Some yu however, seem to have been intended to hold water, used during ceremonial ablutions.
The object in the Cernuschi museum presents an organization of the decoration in horizontal registers, like most Shang bronzes. A band on the foot alternates cruciform motifs and medallions containing five spirals engraved around a circle. Another band, above the body left bare, is made up of cicadas faced three by three, on either side of an animal mask in relief. The cicada is a frequent motif on Chinese bronzes. It is assumed to be associated with the idea of rebirth, in particular because of its recurring appearance in Han funerary practices (206 BC – 220). However, no text from the Shang period can corroborate this hypothesis.
Cartel:
Bowl yu
Shang period (c. 1550 – c. 1050 BC), early Anyang period (c. 1300 –
around 1050 BC. J.-C.), XIIe century BC, China
Bronze
H.14,3cm; D.20,6cm
MC 9227
Purchase from the City of Paris with the support of the Société des Amis du musée Cernuschi, 1962
Photo credit :
© Paris Museums / Cernuschi Museum
 Anonymous, Vase yu (Used name), -1199. Cast iron, bronze, cast iron. Cernuschi Museum, Museum of Asian Arts of the City of Paris. |
 Anonymous, Vase yu (Used name), -1199. Cast iron, bronze, cast iron. Cernuschi Museum, Museum of Asian Arts of the City of Paris. |
 Anonymous, Vase yu (Used name), -1199. Cast iron, bronze, cast iron. Cernuschi Museum, Museum of Asian Arts of the City of Paris. |
