Bronze Lei withbeast-shaped ears, wine vessel

Warring States Period
Unearthed at Huixian,Henan
Height: 30.5cm
Mouth diameter:20.3cm
Foot diameter:18.2cm

The bronze Lei features a straight neck, bulging belly, and flat base. On the shoulder is a pair of animal-shaped handles that suspend loose rings, the little animals are in the form of climbing with an arched back, and turn their heads backward, tails raised. Alternating the handles is a pair of ridges with patterns of bird and beast. The vessel is fully covered with cord patterns and coiled dragons, and spiral pits for inlays which are missing.

The tombs Jia and Yi discovered at Liulige, Huixian county, Henan province, date back to the Spring and Autumn period, with the tomb occupants are the aristocrats of the time, yielded quite a lot exquisitely crafted bronze wares and jade articles, which provide an important reference to the study on the rules of rites and music, jade wearing regulations of the time.