Gui with Checkered Nail Pattern

The bronze ware system of the Shang and Zhou dynasties was referred to as the "Ding Gui System", which has been confirmed by documents and a large number of unearthed archaeological objects. The bronze gui and bronze ding were used together. The ding was used as a cooking utensil to cook or heat meat, while the gui was a container specifically for holding millet and other grains. Although the two had different functions and uses, they formed the core of the food ware combination in bronze ritual vessels and became the yardstick for "distinguishing superiors and inferiors, and distinguishing between upper and lower". The bronze gui is an important type of sacrificial vessel in bronze ritual vessels. Because it holds the "main food", it has become the "first ritual vessel".

"Gui" is "Yi", the former is often seen in documents; the latter has been seen in oracle bones. The left side of the character looks like a round container full of food, and the right side is like a hand holding a dagger. Its meaning may be a container for sacrificial feasts and food, or as a place name. The bronze inscriptions inherit the oracle bone characters. The earliest known artifact named "Gui" was unearthed from M1003 in the northwest hill of Anyang. Four marble gui fragments were unearthed from the tomb. On one of the ears, there was an inscription of 12 characters "Xin Chou, Xiao Chen... Yi", which is the earliest known artifact named "Gui". In the late Shang Dynasty and early Zhou Dynasty, most bronze artifacts with inscriptions were named "Yi". Since the middle of the Western Zhou Dynasty, the number of artifacts named "Gui" has gradually increased.

This gui has a wide mouth and a narrow neck, symmetrical ears, and a stable ring foot under the slightly bulging belly. The ring foot has a high straight skirt. The double dragon semi-circular ears, the dragon head has protruding round eyes, and is decorated with a rectangular earring below. The earring is decorated with hook-shaped patterns. The ears are equipped with symmetrical animal heads, exuding a strong fierce style. In the middle of the abdomen, there is a diamond grid composed of cloud and thunder patterns, and the nipples dotted in between make this fine geometric pattern full of wildness. The foot is decorated with relief Kuilong patterns. The elaborate and fine deformed Kui patterns and the prominent nipple patterns form a regular pattern, which is coarse and fine, harmonious and unified. "Zhou Li·Diguan·Sheren": "In all sacrifices, there are fu and gui." Gui began to appear in the Shang Dynasty and continued to the Warring States Period, but the number was small. It is one of the iconic bronze utensils of the Bronze Age in China.

At the same time, the bottom of this gui is cast with the three-character inscription "Zha (Zuo) Bao 𣪘 (Gui)", in which "Bao" is a respectful word. The three-character inscription No. 03898 "Zuo Bao Gui" included in "Collection of Inscriptions and Images of Shang and Zhou Bronze Wares Volume 8 Food Utensils·Gui" by Wu Zhenfeng can be used for reference. The overall shape of this vessel is majestic and solemn, majestic and steady, yet elegant and generous. The layout is complex but not chaotic, the carving is fine, and the atmosphere is regular. Such a dynamic picture is still worth savoring after thousands of years. At the same time, it shows the vigor of the Zhou people after King Wu defeated King Zhou and established the country. The exquisite casting technology tells the glory of the past three thousand years. It can be called a fine product among the bronze vessels of the Western Zhou Dynasty and has great collection value.