Owl 'Zun' wine vessel, 13th-12th century BCE

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Animated versions of ancient bronze artifacts are a rare sight, and one such example is the 13th to 12th century BCE owl-shaped zun wine vessel now housed at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. According to its description on artsmia.org, this unique piece consists of two main parts: a removable owl's-head lid and a hollow bird's body. This type of animal-shaped bronze sculpture is scarce during the Shang period, with only a few remaining examples. The owl-shaped zun in question is one of the oldest and most lifelike among its kind, showcasing the influence of the Shang capital, Anyang, located in northern China. However, its style and casting technique reveal a connection to the bronze tradition of the middle Yangzi region in southern China. For more information about this ancient relic, visit https://collections.artsmia.org/art/827/zun-wine-vessel-in-the-shape-of-an-owl-unknown