---
title: Bronze Ritual Vessel in the Shape of a Rhinoceros
author: Justin Chay
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/8888/bronze-ritual-vessel-in-the-shape-of-a-rhinoceros/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 1970-01-01
---

# Bronze Ritual Vessel in the Shape of a Rhinoceros

_Authored by [Justin Chay](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/justinchay88/)_

## Image File

[![Bronze Ritual Vessel in the Shape of a Rhinoceros](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/8888.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/8888.jpg)

## Image Caption

This [bronze](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/bronze/) ritual vessel dates to 1100 – 1050 BCE ([Shang Dynasty](https://www.worldhistory.org/Shang_Dynasty/) period). Unearthed in Liangshan, Shandong, the vessel, likely used to hold wine or food, is notable for its differences from other bronze ritual vessels of its time. Few bronze vessels in [China](https://www.worldhistory.org/china/) were made in the form of animals, and fewer still lacked surface ornamentation, as this vessel does. The vessel is also notable for its lifelike depiction of a rhinoceros, with detailed folds of thick skin and a low-hanging belly. An inscription inside the belly of the rhinoceros records a gift of cowry shells given to a "Lesser Minister Yu" in the same year that the Shang king launched a military expedition against the Renfang state. This information allowed scholars to date the vessel to the reign of the last king of the Shang Dynasty, [Zhou](https://www.worldhistory.org/Zhou_Dynasty/), also known as Di Xin. (San Francisco Asian Art Museum, San Francisco, CA)

#### Editorial Review

This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).

## About the Author

Justin Chay has traveled through China, England, France, Italy, Japan, Korea, Morocco, Scotland and Spain to learn more about the past.

## Cite This Work

### APA
Chay, J. (2018, June 17). Bronze Ritual Vessel in the Shape of a Rhinoceros. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/8888/bronze-ritual-vessel-in-the-shape-of-a-rhinoceros/>
### Chicago
Chay, Justin. "Bronze Ritual Vessel in the Shape of a Rhinoceros." *World History Encyclopedia*, June 17, 2018. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/8888/bronze-ritual-vessel-in-the-shape-of-a-rhinoceros/>.
### MLA
Chay, Justin. "Bronze Ritual Vessel in the Shape of a Rhinoceros." *World History Encyclopedia*, 17 Jun 2018, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/8888/bronze-ritual-vessel-in-the-shape-of-a-rhinoceros/>.

## License & Copyright

Submitted by [Justin Chay](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/justinchay88/ "User Page: Justin Chay"), published on 17 June 2018. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.