The archaic bronze ritual vessel zhi is of curved ovoid form, stands on tall foot ring, body depicts stylized mythical beasts and taotie masks, complete with domed cover, inside bears archaic inscription.
Shang Dynasty period.
Height: 14 in (35.6 cm) Diameter: 8 1/4 in (21.0 cm)


商代 鴞紋青銅觶
觶商周時期重要酒器，體量較小，相當于現在的酒杯，主要存在于商和西周，春秋時期僅有一例出土，彌足珍貴。身飾鴞紋，爲現在猫頭鷹，古人認爲此乃吉祥之物可驅趕鬼邪之物，故能看到商代有大量的鴞紋出現。紋飾立體形象生動，器物底部有銘文若干，十分少見。