Shang dynasty(1600-1046 BC)
Height: 26 cm, Mouth Diameter: 21 cm
Excavated at Renmin Gongyuan, Zhengyuan, Henan Province, I954

This zun has a flared rim, a short neck, sloping shoulders, curves inward in the lower section of the body, and has a slightly concave flat base. It is made of infusible clay, fired at over 200 degrees.

The body is thin, yet robust, and features the popular grey-white colouration. The interior and exterior of the zun both feature a thin bluish-grey fluid glaze. From the shoulder down the vessel is decorated with impressed thin cord patterns, while the neck is decorated with several circular twisted patterns.

This zun was excavated at the Shang dynasty Erligang site in Zhengzhou. It was excavated alongside several grey earthenware works, and has the same basic design as the large-mouthed zun of this period, clearly bearing the characteristic features of works from this era, While the style and techniques seen in its body, glaze and craftsmanship are all clearly extremely early, this work manifests the basic characteristics of porcelain, giving us a clear understanding of the early forms of celadon ware from northern China.