Yü Basin
This yü basin is a vessel for taking and storing water. With the diameter of the mouth measuring 40.4 cm and the depth of the basin being 21 cm, it has a remarkably high capacity of 16,870 ml. Two u-shaped handles are on each side. A continuous k’uei dragon motif primarily ornaments the basin, and continuous triangles composed of k’uei dragon motifs fill out the area below the dragon. A thin dragon motif can also be found on the base. The inside of the lid as well as the base contain an inscription that reads “basin for the small room within the bedchamber” (qin xiaoshi yü) indicating that the object was placed in the “small room,” namely the washroom of the king of the Shang dynasty.
- Item No.
- R001092
- Period
- Late 14th-mid 11th century B.C.
- Dimensions
- Height 42.2, Diameter 40.4 cm
- Excavated/Findspot
- Royal Tomb M1400, Hsi -pei-kang, Anyang, Honan
- Materials
- Bronze
- Notes
- National treasure