Han Huang - Oxen

 Continuing the #yearoftheox theme here's a #Chinese #scroll #painting by #HanHuang

though these are #Buffalo #oxen or #bulls or maybe #cows anyway #bovines and #asian ! 

Happy Lunar New Year Everyone !

Bull Shaped Zun Vessel

 BULL SHAPED ZUN VESSEL

#yearoftheox #zun #chinesebronze 

The type of Chinese Bronze Vessel known as the Zun was often animal shaped.

How this actually worked as a vessel for liquids I do not know? Perhaps two separate liquids were poured into the front and back holes and scooped out of the middle.

I have a suspicion some of these may have been used as candle  holders or that lids are missing. 

There could have been some kind of detachable spout or lid that was made of more valuable gold or some simpler perishable material?

We can appreciate them for both their functional and sculptural qualities! 

 #yearoftheox #moronobu #oxdrawncarriage  #japaneseprint

MORONOBU PRINT 

This print by MORONOBU illustrates a Kyoto about the slaying of a demon and its head being put on display. I have however chosen it because it clearly shows the bull and its yoke and the structure of oxcarts. Cattle in Japan were primarily draught animals not diary or meat animals. 

One notes the poor bull is not happy with its cart's unusual load and is being coaxed or forced along!