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China

Rectangular Cauldron

Shang dynasty ( about 1600–1046 BC ), 12th/11th century
Bronze
17 × 14.2 cm (6.7 × 5.6 in)

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In the collection of Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago · as of July 2026

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FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG

Unlike most bronze vessels whose shapes were derived from prehistoric ceramic forms, this type of rectangular container was invented by Shang bronze artisans. Each side features a pair of profile birds with long, trailing tailfeathers. The black material in sunken areas of this design contains carbon. This filler is common to many Shang bronzes and seems to have been deliberately applied after casting in order to emphasize the surface decoration.

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