| Shi zun | |
| Native Name: | 豕尊 |
| Native Name Lang: | zh |
| Material: | Bronze |
| Height: | 40cm (20inches) |
| Weight: | 30kg (70lb) |
| Long: | 72cm (28inches) |
| Created: | Shang dynasty (1600 - 1046 BC) |
| Discovered Place: | Chuanxingshan, Xiangtan County, Hunan, China |
| Discovered Date: | 1981 |
| Discovered By: | Zhu Guiwu |
| Location: | Hunan Museum |
Shi zun is an ancient Chinese ritual bronze zun vessel, shaped like a boar, from the late Shang dynasty (1600 - 1046 BC). It was excavated in 1981 from Chuanxingshan, Xiangtan County, Hunan and now is preserved in the Hunan Museum.[1] [2]
The Shi zun is 72cm (28inches) long, 40cm (20inches) high and weighs 30kg (70lb). It is shaped like a wild boar with two tusks. It has an oval opening on the top and a hollow interior. Its whole body is decorated with patterns of scutes, clouds, dragons and animal faces.[2] [3]
A zun is a kind of wine vessel. There are many theories about why it is made from bronze, including to exorcise evil spirits, to please the gods, or as a medium of communication between man and gods.[2]
In early 1981, Zhu Guiwu, a Hunanese villager from Chuanxingshan of Xiangtan County, discovered the Shi zun when he dug the foundation of his new house. It was identified by the cultural relics department as a Shang dynasty Chinese ritual bronze zun vessel.[2]