Late Shang Dynasty, Anyang period, 12th–11th century BC
Inscribed Shu Zi (弔子)
Height: 28cm

Of elegant archaic form, the vessel is of circular section and trumpet-shaped profile, rising from a high ring foot to a slender, waisted neck and flared mouth. Prominent raised flanges accentuate the waist and foot.

The neck is decorated with stylized banana-leaf motifs, while the central register is cast in high relief with a bold bovine-horned taotie mask divided by vertical flanges. Between the waist and foot are two cross-shaped openwork apertures bordered by bow-string bands. Fine intaglio lines are engraved over the taotie motifs against a densely rendered leiwen (thunder-pattern) ground. The decoration is arranged in three tiers incorporating taotie and dragon motifs, with traces of cinnabar remaining within the recesses.

The surface has developed a rich malachite-green patina of lustrous tone, and the decoration is exceptionally well preserved — a rare condition for bronzes of this period. The vessel represents a particularly refined and sculptural example of late Anyang ritual bronze casting.

The interior wall of the foot bears the two-character inscription:

弔子 (Shu Zi)