Ritual Wine Container in the Shape of a Buffalo (Xizun; detail), early 5th century B.C. Eastern Zhou dynasty, Spring and Autumn period (770–476 B.C.). Bronze. Lent by the Shanghai Museum
«A cast-bronze buffalo from the Shanghai Museum is now on view in the exhibition Innovation and Spectacle: Chinese Ritual Bronzes (through March 22, 2015). This fantastic animal-shaped vessel once served as a wine warmer in sacrificial rituals in the Zhou dynasty (1046–256 b.c.).»
Together with two remarkable bronze vases and ceramic mold fragments, this buffalo illustrates the sophisticated casting technology of ancient China. Since it is an exceptionally rare cultural treasure, the Shanghai Museum has lent it only once before in the last seventy years. Come to the Met so you won't miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see and feel the vibes of this spectacular work of Chinese art.