Kuei with Thunder and Cicada Motifs

Shang Dynasty (ca. 1751 - 1111 BC)

The kuei is a large bowl used for containing food. The Shang people did not attach much importance to it as drinking was in vogue at the time. By the Western Chou Dynasty, however, kueis became as important as ting vessels. Only the Chou emperors were allowed to use nine tings matched with eight kueis. The kuei vessel displayed here is covered with a blue patina, which is rarely seen.



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