Ritual mountain vessel (shanzun)
On loan to The Met
This work of art is currently on loan to the museum.The inscription on this vessel indicates that it was cast under the order of Emperor Huizong in 1121 for the state Altar of the Earth. This specific type of “mountain vessel” was often represented in ritual manuals from the tenth century as a bottle featuring depictive paintings of rocky mountains. Here, the vessel’s form and ornamentation closely follow archaic models instead. The angular lines and small circles on the body form stylized representations of mountains.
Inscription
唯宣龢三年正月辛丑, 皇帝考古作山尊, 豒于方澤, 其萬年永保用
On the xingchou day of the first lunar month of the third year of the Xuanhe reign, the emperor investigated antiquity and made a “mountain” zun vessel for secondary placement on the square mound [for sacrifices to Earth]. May it be eternally treasured and used for all time.
Inscription
唯宣龢三年正月辛丑, 皇帝考古作山尊, 豒于方澤, 其萬年永保用
On the xingchou day of the first lunar month of the third year of the Xuanhe reign, the emperor investigated antiquity and made a “mountain” zun vessel for secondary placement on the square mound [for sacrifices to Earth]. May it be eternally treasured and used for all time.
Artwork Details
- 北宋宣和 銅山尊
- Title: Ritual mountain vessel (shanzun)
- Period: Northern Song dynasty (960–1127)
- Date: 1121
- Culture: China
- Medium: Copper alloy
- Dimensions: H. 11 7/16 in. (29 cm); W. 8 11/16 in. (22 cm); Diam. 8 in. (20.3 cm)
- Classification: Metalwork
- Credit Line: Lent by The Palace Museum
- Rights and Reproduction: Photograph courtesy of The Palace Museum, Beijing
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art