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 GIFT OF 
 
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 PREFACE. 
 
 The accompanying illustrations, with their descriptions, have been taken 
 
 from the ancient Chinese work, entitled Ts r~\ |^| Po-koo-too, which 
 extends to sixteen large Chinese volumes, containing several hundred 
 plates of Vases, Jugs, Bottles, Mirrors, &c., of the Shang, Chow, and Han 
 Dynasties, comprehending a period of about 1784 years B.C. The com- 
 pilers of this work were doubtless at considerable trouble and expense ; 
 for they state that they had examined most of the vessels described in 
 the work, themselves, and that such as did not come under their notice, 
 were copied from works of unquestionable authority. 
 
 The plan observed in the original work is, to place all the Vases as a 
 class, in the order of the Dynasties ; having finished that class of illus- 
 trations, they recommence and describe the drinking and other sacred 
 vessels of the Shang Dynasty, instead of placing, as it were at one view, all 
 the rare articles of the Shxing Dynasty, then those of the Chow, followed 
 by those of the Han Dynasty. 
 
 The Po-koo-too is illustrated with about 900 plates. Of the vessels of the 
 Shang Dynasty, there are 26 illustrations of those denominated Ting, vases, 
 with which this work commences; 14 denominated Tsun, wine jugs; 7 E, 
 a large cup or small basin ; 15 Yew, a jug for fragrant wine, with a handle 
 that extends over its mouth ; 3 Hoo, a tea-jjot, also a bottle for wine ; 35 
 Tseo, a wine-vessel with three legs, and a long lip ; 14 Tung, an elegant 
 tall slender vessel with a wide mouth: these make 114 illustrations. The 
 vessels of the Chow Dynasty, although named as those of the Shang, differ 
 materially in their shape and design of chasing, so as to form a difierent 
 class, which frequently have long inscriptions. Of this period, there are 50 
 vessels denominated Ting ; 19 Tsun ; 18 E ; 23 Yew ; 8 Luy ; 1 Ping ; 16 
 Hoo, a tea-pot; 15 Tow, a wine-cup made of precious stone; and 14 
 Tang, making 164, with others, probably made of porcelain, elaborately 
 covered with devices, well suited for containing the sticks of incense which 
 
 ivi788559 
 
4 PREFACE. 
 
 are daily lighted, or for containing a bouquet of flowers for the Boudoir, 
 that cannot easily be described. The handles of sacred vessels are orna- 
 mented with what may be termed the lynx head, and not unfrequently 
 with only the eyes, admonitory of reverence in their use, and may be to 
 the Chinese what we understand by the aZZ-seeing eye. It appears very 
 remarkable, that of the 900 illustrations of vessels, no small portion of them 
 intended expressly for the use of the altar, there is not found one vessel 
 that has a representation lohich personates a God, although a state religion, 
 the worshipping of the Great Powers of Heaven and Earth, existed at this 
 time, with much superstition among the lower classes of the people. Can 
 it be inferred that the first settlers in China, and for centuries after, re- 
 tained an imperfect knowledge of the Divine law : " Thou shalt not make 
 unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven 
 above ? " Exodus xx. 4. 
 
 Although the Chinese have not had a national institution where ancient 
 relics might be deposited, their history clearly proves, that under every 
 Dynasty there have been persons of eminence who have collected, at 
 considerable expense, objects of interest for their rarity or value. 
 Confucius, in his Chun-tsew, or History of the Kingdom of Loo (B.C. 
 2142 to 1756), mentions that the Minister Lin-tsze, on the founder of 
 the Ilea Dynasty possessing himself of the empire, made great exertions 
 to obtain whatever was rare and valuable for its antiquity. It is also 
 recorded of the ambitious Minister Tung-oho (A.D. 200), that, on his 
 being appointed governor of the new city Mei-too, he sent persons in 
 various directions throughout the empire, regardless of the expense, to pro- 
 cure ancient Vases, and whatever was esteemed rare and curious : the histo- 
 rian states that he procured many vases and other scarce articles that were 
 deemed highly valuable. Besides these names, honourable mention is made 
 of a goodly number of virtuosi under each Dynasty, who have rendered 
 considerable service in acquiring as well as in aiding to explain the inscrip- 
 tions on the various vessels. Approaching our own times, it is well known 
 that YuEN-YUEN, the late Viceroy of Canton (1820), had collected an ex- 
 tensive museum of whatever was considered interesting ; but his attention 
 was more particularly directed to commemorative as well as ancient in- 
 
PREFACE. 5 
 
 scriptions, especially those on bells and coins. In a work which he pub- 
 lished a few years before his death, he not only gives fac-similes of these 
 inscriptions, however injured by time, but in many instances supplied the 
 defective characters, which shows that the modern and original significa- 
 tions of the same character are frequently very dissimilar. However much 
 Chinese antiquaries may be indebted to the industry of Yuen-tuen, 
 which was doubtless great, as well as to the compilers of the Po-koo-too, 
 they are probably more indebted to the violent acts of various despots, 
 who, in disturbing the dead, discovered many vases that have been handed 
 down, than to the mere collecting efibrts of the literati. 
 
 The tyrant Tsin-chb Hwang-tb, who built the great wall of China, 
 intent on establishing a new era, and unwilling that his government should 
 be fettered by ancient usages, ordered that all memorials of antiquity 
 should be destroyed, and that all documents and books should be con- 
 signed to the flames. The literati who pertinaciously adhered to former 
 usages, were either imprisoned or buried alive ; then it was that the 
 sacred vases of the Hea, Shang, and C/iow Dynasties, which had been 
 transmitted from father to son, with ancient works and records of 
 every description, were concealed by those who set a value on them, 
 until after the death of the tyrant, when they were brought forth, or dug 
 up, and highly esteemed. In the early periods of Chinese history, a custom 
 seems to have prevailed of interring with the dead honorary vases, which 
 reposed with them for ages ; but during the civil wars, more particularly 
 that about A.D. 200, the graves of the ancient monarchs and eminent 
 statesmen were dug up, and their ashes dispersed : then were many of these 
 ancient relics discovered, and a new order of things having been estab- 
 lished, they have been preserved to the present period. Regarding them 
 merely on account of their great antiquity, therefore, (above 3600 years !) 
 independently of their symmetry and style of ornament, they cannot fail 
 to be interesting to all who attach a value to what is ancient ; while their 
 inscriptions establish, unquestionably, the fact, that the present Chinese 
 written character is derived from hieroglyphical representations. 
 
 The Preface to the Po-hoo-too commences by ascribing the origin of all 
 inventions to Fuh-he, who, it is said, on looking up at the heavens, and 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 investigating the earth, became fully acquainted with the active and 
 passive principles in nature, which enabled him to account for all the trans- 
 mutations that take place. The active principle he named Yang, ''the 
 male energy;" the other, Fin, "the female energy." These terms, in 
 his day, as well as by modem writers, have been applied to every thing. 
 Whatever is superior or perfect, as the sun, or firmament, is considered 
 Yang ; and what is imperfect or inferior, as the moon, or earth, is Yin. 
 Thus things that are circular, or oval, are denominated Yang; and those 
 that are square, Yin. Bearing these remarks in the mind will assist in 
 understanding some of the vessels, whether considered as superior or inferior. 
 The vases with three feet have an allusion, it is said, to the - — -_ ^^ 
 Three kung, or three stars, which are supposed to preside over the Prince, 
 Ministers, and the People ; those with four feet are in honour of the Sze 
 
 foo prn wm or four higher civil ofiicers. The device called ^^ ^^- 
 Haou-teen, on the vases, is intended to be admonitory against inor- 
 dinate feasting at the annual sacrifices. The vases, &c., which are em- 
 bellished with " ^cfe' ^as* Yun-luy, " clouds and thunder," are supposed 
 to have been originally given by the prince in consequence of agri- 
 cultural merit; and in the same way, vases having the characters OH 
 New, " ox," jdfcl Yang, " sheep," or ^T She, " hog," were given to 
 persons who devoted their attention to rearing these animals. Thus, says 
 the author, we discover that vases, &c., were anciently conferred as marks of 
 honour by the prince and other illustrious personages, for services rendered 
 to the state, and were preserved by the families thus distinguished, that the 
 record of their particular excellences might be transmitted to posterity. 
 
 The larger vases were denominated ^^ Nae; circular vases, \M} Tsae. 
 Those designated ^ffl^'Aiw, "sacred," and ^^ Paou," "precious," were 
 greatly esteemed. The vases given to the literati, it is said, were made 
 of iron ; those given to the principal ministers of state, of fine copper ; 
 those given to the nobles, as well as those used by the emperors, were made 
 of gold : their usage was indispensable when worshipping their ancestors. 
 
 The custom in those remote times was, for the Emperor, when worship- 
 ping, to use nine vessels ; a noble, seven ; a minister of state, five ; and a 
 literary person, three. In later periods, inferior vases have been made. 
 
 /»/v/v/\<v/\.ri\/\^ r\ 
 
PREFACE. 7 
 
 and sent by the emperor to offending ministers, whose crimes were not consi- 
 dered as meriting death. On these, the character T^ Keen, "rectitude," 
 was inscribed, to remind such persons how deficient they were in that noble 
 quality. 
 
 In allusion to the worship which prevailed during the Hea, Shang, and 
 Chow Dynasties, but more especially during the Shang Dynasty, it is said, 
 then were the gods revered, and that it was then the prevailing custom for 
 every person to present offerings to them, which is assigned as a reason 
 why so many vases have the character -i- Tsze, " son," inscribed on them. 
 The same writer remarks, " If children are instructed in the rites of making 
 offerings to the gods (i.e. taught to worship the gods), it is apparent, that as 
 they grow up these things will engross their whole minds. The early 
 Sovereigns attended to these matters ; and, when every person acts thus, will 
 it not be an age of honouring the gods ? " — or an age of moral excellence. 
 The last volume of the Po-koo-too, with other antiquities, contains plates 
 of ancient mirrors, made of various metals, highly polished. Some of these 
 mirrors have inscriptions on the reverse side; others have flowers and 
 ominous animals depicted on them ; and several have Fuh-he's Pa-kwa, or 
 cycle, and twelve animals, answering to our signs of the zodiac ; but, while 
 they confine themselves to that number, the animals are not the same on 
 each mirror. 
 
 The very early history of every nation must necessarily be obscure. It 
 is thus with Chinese History. But when we consider the very early 
 period to which it goes back, it is somewhat surprising to find such 
 ample records as her history affords. This in some measure may be easily 
 accounted for. China has not, like many nations on rising into notice, un- 
 dergone those barbarous wars, which, while they depopulate the kingdom, 
 obliterate almost every advance of the human mind. Her early wars 
 ^ were not foreign, but internal j consequently they were against the then 
 I constitution, or against the rulers, not against the constitution as laid down 
 
 by Fuh-he, who must be considered the founder of the Chinese Empire, and 
 who lived about 3300 B.C. All accounts prior to Fuh-he^ are considered 
 fabulous, and it is from his reign that the celebrated historian Choo- ■ 
 foo-tsze commenced his history, which is considered authentic. 
 
8 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 When the present work was commenced, it was the Translator's inten- 
 tion to have given designs of Vases of each of the Dynasties, which would 
 have marked the taste and style of each age ; and also to have traced 
 the improvements in the written character during the same periods ; 
 showing, in many instances, the alterations it underwent, both in form and 
 meaning ; a work that would have been highly interesting, in a literary 
 point of view. But having achieved the object for which he was sent to 
 China by the Honorable East India Company, the Printing of the Rev. 
 Dr. Morrison's Chinese Dictionary, he was necessitated to terminate his 
 researches, which he was unable to resume in this country from the want 
 of the assistance of educated natives. 
 
 The Vases are placed as they occur in the Po'koo-too. In a work of this 
 nature, considerable repetition is to be expected ; nor are we to be sur- 
 prised that different opinions should exist among the Chinese as to the 
 ancient signification of some of the characters, or as to the date assigned to 
 the several vases, &c. ; but, on the contrary, we shall admire the diligence and 
 learning often displayed by the Commentators, who were not stimulated by 
 foreign rivalry and influence. The Translator has endeavoured to give a 
 faithful version of the work he has selected ; and if it shall be found that, 
 after having concentrated a few scattered rays with much toil and expense, 
 he has thrown them to some advantage on the dark part of the history of 
 China, he feels assured that no real lover of literature will consider his 
 time as having been unprofitably spent. 
 
 The Engravings which illustrate this little volume were engraved, or 
 rather cut, expressly for the translator, by A-lae, a native of Canton, after 
 the manner that blocks are cut for printing Chinese books ; this is done by 
 holding a long sharp-pointed instrument nearly perpendicular in the right 
 hand, and drawing its point towards the artist by the forefinger and thumb 
 of the left hand, thus effecting their object with considerable speed. As 
 several Engravers, fully competent to give an opinion as to the execution of 
 the Engravings, from which this work is printed, have not withheld their 
 mead of praise, they have been thought worthy of a place in the Grand 
 Exhibition of 1851, and are a specimen of what the Chinese can do in 
 the art of Wood-engraving. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 As there are frequent references to the reigns of the Ancient Monarchs 
 in the course of this work, especially to those of the Shang Dynasty, the 
 following concise table may be of assistance to the reader who may be dis- 
 posed to trace their date. 
 
 Fuh-he, Shin-nung, and Hwang-te, are spoken of as the Dynasty of the 
 Three Sovereigns, whose united reigns extend from 3300 to 2622, or 678 
 years. This Dynasty was succeeded by the Woo-te, or Five Sovereigns, who 
 were called Shoau-haou, Chuen-kuh, Te-kwiih, Tang-te-yaou, and Yu-te- 
 chun, who reigned from 2538 to 2069, B.C., a period of 369 years. This was 
 followed by the Hea Dynasty, which consisted of 17 Sovereigns, from 2142 
 to 1756 B.C., who reigned 386 years. This dynasty was followed by — 
 
 THE SHANG DYNASTY. 
 
 Reiltned 
 yean. 
 
 Reicn 
 rlo»<;d 
 B.C. 
 
 ^ ^^ Ching-tang 13 1743 
 
 ^ ^ Tae-kea 33 1710 
 
 ^ "J* Yuh-ting 29 1681 
 
 i^ H Tae-kaug 25 1656 
 
 j\\ ^ Seaou-kea 17 1639 
 
 ^ P Yung-ke 12 1627 
 
 ^ rj^ Tae-mow 75 1552 
 
 It X Chung-ting 13 1539 
 
 j(^ ^ Wae-jin 15 1524 
 
 M 1 ^Ho-tan-kea ... 9 1515 
 
 iB- ~C^ Tso-yih 19 1496 
 
 ti. ^ Tso-sin 16 1480 
 
 j^ ^ Yiih-kea 25 1455 
 
 SB X Tsoo-tmg 32 1423 
 
 Reigned 
 xean. 
 
 ]^ 1^ Nan-kang 25 
 
 1^ ^ Yang-kea 7 
 
 S ^ Pwan-kang 28 
 
 y\\ ^ Seaou-sin 21 
 
 /J\ ^ Seaou-yih 28 
 
 1^ "J^ Woo-ting 59 
 
 ffi I? Tsoo-kang 7 
 
 ffi ^ Tsoo-kea 33 
 
 1^ -^A^ Lin-sin 6 
 
 15 J* Kang-ting 21 
 
 ^ ^ Woo-ym 4 
 
 -4- ~Y Tae-ting 3 
 
 ^ /^ Te-yih 37 
 
 ^t 3E Chow-wang 32 
 
 Reign 
 closed 
 BC. 
 
 1398 
 1391 
 1363 
 1342 
 1314 
 1255 
 4812 
 1215 
 1209 
 1188 
 1184 
 1181 
 1144 
 1113 
 
 12, Warwick Sqttaeb, 
 March, 1851. 
 
VASES OF THE SHANG DYNASTY. 
 
 The Class denominated tf|4 Ting. 
 I. 
 
 Ancient Inscription on the side of the Vase. Modem form of 
 
 the Characters contained in 
 the Inscription, 
 
 
 
 
 eIIIia^K^— 1 
 
 ^ "^^ 
 
 ^ ^ 
 
 ffl W M H 
 ^ * E a£ 
 
 ^ ; 
 
 ^ K 
 
 n 
 
 2s 
 
 jS "P 
 
 f^ 
 
 o flt-^ 
 
 This vase, it is said, was made of inferior gold. It measured, in height 
 
B.C. 1496.] THE SHANG DYNASTY. 1 1 
 
 seven Chinese inches ; its ears in length, one inch and two-tenths ; in 
 width, one inch and four-tenths. Its internal depth was three inches. 
 Its circumference at the mouth, was five inches and six-tenths ; and, 
 round the centre, six inches : it was capable of containing about an 
 English pint. It weighed three pounds ten ounces, Chinese weight — 
 about four pounds English ; and had the annexed inscription engraved on 
 it, which reads thus : " During the 12th month of the year Kang-woo, his 
 Majesty, in consequence of meritorious conduct, recorded the Yew-she 
 officer of the fourth rank, (who presided over the Northern Agricultural De- 
 partment), and gave him this valuable Vase, to be used when worshipping 
 his ancestors." The characters by the side of the ancient inscription, are 
 the modern forms ; and, as one of the ancient characters is not understood, 
 a circle is placed in its stead. 
 
 By its being denominated a ^^ "7^ Foo-yih Vase, it is presumed to 
 be as ancient as the Shang Dynasty ; for the character ( Yih, formed 
 part of the names of several emperors of that period, as lurl f Tsoo- 
 YiH, who was considered a good sovereign, and whose reign closed about 
 1496 years before the Christian era ; n^ ~f SEAOU-yiH, whose reign 
 closed 1314 years B.C. ; and ^r 7^ Woo-tih, who reigned 1184 years 
 B.C. This monarch caused idols to be made, which he called celestial gods, 
 and appointed persons to give them motion ; he was killed while hunting, 
 as they say, by the force of thunder. He was a great tyrant ; and those 
 who displeased him were instantly put to death on the plea that the gods 
 were offended with them. He caused the blood of some of his victims to 
 be put into leathern bags, at which he threw darts for amusement. His 
 successor ~T^ 1 Tae-ting, who reigned 1181 years B.C., had a son 
 named Yih, who succeeded to the throne. On the Duke of Chow being 
 successful against the Choo-hoo-e-too foreigners, it is stated, that this prince 
 conferred on him several high titles, and presented him with a Vase for 
 fragrant wine, to be used when sacrificing. But as this Vase has the in- 
 scription Foo-yih, the compilers state that it is doubtful by what Emperor 
 it was given. 
 
ANCIENT CHINESE VASES OF 
 II. 
 
 [B.C. 1423. 
 
 This Vase measured in height, five Chinese inches and two-tenths ; its ears, 
 one inch in height, and one inch and two-tenths in breadth ; its internal 
 depth three inches and two-tenths. At the mouth, five inches and two- 
 tenths. It contained an English pint, and weighed nearly three pounds. 
 The inscription, written in modern characters, is Kg ^^jf^ Kew-foo. It 
 is not known with certainty to whom this Vase refers ; but as there is a jug 
 of this Dynasty for offering wine in, given by IjTH 1 Tsoo-ting, who 
 reigned 1423 years B.C., bearing the same inscription, this is also supposed 
 to have been given by him. The ears, and the lower parts of the vase, as 
 well as its legs, are plain, which is considered to add to its chasteness. 
 The relief work is denominated ® ^y y^i ^W^ Luy-wan Ilaou- 
 teen. The first two characters may imply the " silken threads of thunder ; " 
 the last two, " voracious eating " or feeding, as of a tiger ; which device 
 was intended, doubtless, to convey to the mind of the worshippers the 
 necessity for reverence and abstinence, lest calamity befal them while 
 worshipping in the temple of their ancestors. This Vase, say the compilers 
 of the Po-koo-too, from its great age, has become white, which is con- 
 sidered another reason for concluding it to belong to the Shang Dynasty. 
 
B.C. 1423.] 
 
 THE SHANG DYNASTY. 
 
 13 
 
 iir. 
 
 This beautiful vase measured in height, four Chinese inches and six- 
 tenths : its ears, one inch in height, and one inch one-tenth in breadth. Its 
 internal depth was two inches and eight-tenths. Its circumference at the 
 mouth, three inches and eight-tenths, and round the centre five inches and 
 two-tenths. It contained about an English half-pint, and weighed nearly 
 two pounds. The inscription is the ancient form of -4— Tsze, " a son." 
 One authority affirms, that Tsze was a surname during the Shang Dynasty, 
 hence often found on Vases of this period. Another states, that it im- 
 plied that the Vase was to be handed down from " son to son, and from 
 grandson to grandson." Though its exact age is not known, it is concluded, 
 from the form of the engraved character, to be anterior to the Chow 
 Dynasty, which commenced 1105 years B.C. The Luy-wan Haou-t'een orna- 
 ment, or Egyptian scroll, as it is termed by Europeans, with the admonition 
 "against eating to excess," (see preceding Vase) is carried round only 
 two-thirds of the Vase, leaving a third for the inscription. This Vase is 
 more rich in relief than any other of this Dynasty. 
 
14 
 
 ANCIENT CHINESE VASES OF 
 VI. 
 
 [B.C. 1656. 
 
 ^o<^ ^-d ^o^ 
 
 o 
 
 This Vase was made of gold : it measured in height, five Chinese inches 
 and six-tenths : its ears, one inch in height, and one inch and two-tenths 
 in breadth : its internal depth, three inches and five-tenths : its circum- 
 ference at the mouth, five inches and three-tenths ; round the centre, five 
 inches and eight-tenths. It weighed two Chinese pounds and thirteen 
 ounces. The inscription is an ancient form of of Kang ; which the 
 writer Heu-chin says, refers to the period of Autumn, when vegetation 
 has arrived at maturity. The character Kang, repeated, anciently implied 
 " mature," and is an astronomical character. 
 
 During the Hea Dynasty, there were three emperors named Kang. The 
 first was named 'JC "rfy- Ta-kang, whose reign closed about 2104 
 years B.C. During the Shang Dynasty there were four sovereigns named 
 Kang ; the first spoken of is ~^ m- Tae-kang, a powerful prince, who 
 reigned 1656 years B.C. ; a ^^^ Idb- Pwan-kang, who reigned about 
 1363 years B.C. ; a W^ T^ Tsoo-kang, who reigned about 1248 years 
 B.C ; and Ht- 1 Kang-ting, who reigned 1188 years B.C. Tlie 
 learned acknowledge their inability to determine to which of the emperors 
 this Vase may be referred. It had little or no ornament, and was admired 
 for its chasteness of design. 
 
B.C. 1743.] 
 
 THE SHA.NG DYNASTY. 
 
 15 
 
 A golden Vase, that measured seven Chinese inches and eight-tenths 
 in height : its ears, one inch in height, and one inch and eight-tenths in 
 breadth : its internal depth, four inches and nine-tenths : its circumference 
 at the mouth, seven inches and six-tenths ; round the middle, eight inches 
 and two-tenths. It contained about one quart. It weighed nine Chinese 
 pounds and twelve ounces, and had the ancient form of oS- Kwei en- 
 graved on it, which is another of the astronomical characters. When that 
 part of the heavens which Kwei describes approaches the -t-l Chow di- 
 vision, the fruits of the earth have arrived at maturity. This, like the 
 preceding vase, is supposed to have been set apart for worshipping at the 
 family altars, on account of a plentiful season of the fruits of the earth 
 
 It is conjectured that it was made for, or by order of, ' 
 TANG,' the founder of the Shang Dynasty, who reigned 1743 years B.C. 
 In a work called Taou-k'een-luh, it is said, that one Kung-kea, during the 
 Hea Dynasty, about 1868 years B.C., sent a person to the New-tow-shan, 
 "Iron mountain," to cast a sword, on which the character rJ Kea was 
 struck. As this and the preceding Vase, says another authority, exhibit 
 
 ^1- Ching- 
 
16 
 
 ANCIENT CHINESE VASES OF 
 
 [B.C. 1743. 
 
 only a single character on each, it is thought that they must have belonged 
 to the Hea or Shang Dynasties, doubtless not to the Chow, which succeeded 
 them. Hence their age cannot be less than 3593 years ! — about the time 
 when the Patriarch Joseph was born. 
 
 During the reign of Ching-tang, there was seven years' drought, at the 
 close of which, the historian records, that the Prince repaired to the sacred 
 Mulberry-Grove, where, after praying, he thus publicly interrogated him- 
 self: — " Have I (the emperor) incautiously brought calamity on my people ? 
 Have I deprived my people of their rights? Have I squandered the 
 revenue on my palaces ? Have I added to the number of my concubines 
 (in consequence of being emperor) ? Have I viewed my subjects as though 
 they were the grass of the field ? or, Have I given place to sycophants ? " 
 It is Btated, that before his Majesty had concluded this examination of him- 
 self, a heavy rain fell over a great part of the country. It is therefore 
 conjectured that a new Vase was made to commemorate that event. 
 
 VI. 
 
 This Vase measured in height, five Chinese inches and five-tenths: its 
 ears were one inch and two-tenths in height, and in breadth one inch 
 
B.C. 1743.] 
 
 THE SHANG DYNASTY. 
 
 17 
 
 aud three-tenths. Its internal depth was two inches and six-tenths. Its 
 circumference at the mouth, five inches and two-tenths ; round the centre, 
 five inches and five-tenths. It weighed three Chinese pounds and 
 seven ounces. The inscription is written, by the moderns, 7 Jiz. 
 Yih-maou. Maou ^^ "hair," is here understood to mean "herbage." 
 The work Tso-chuen says, that Maou is synonymous with 1^ Ts'een, 
 herbage generally; and that as all ponds, rivulets, and streams produce 
 one or mpre of the vegetables Pin, Fan, Wan, and Tsaou, which were 
 eaten by persons of every class, such were proper for an offering to one's 
 ancestors. This Vase is supposed to have contained an offering made of 
 
 the 
 
 Maou vegetable, which on the Vase is written 3^ Maou, 
 
 Tsaou AK- " vegetables," which forms the top of the preceding character 
 is understood to express what the Vase contained. 
 
 The emperor ^^^ 1 Tae-ting, we have seen, had a son called f 
 YiH. It is conjectured that this Vase was given by him. The relief is 
 called HJffl ^Y Slien wan. Shen is an insect of the GryUus species j and 
 the relief on the centre of the Vase represents the wings of that insect 
 enriched with what we term the Egyptian scroll. This insect makes a 
 great noise during the fifth moon, when the Le-che fruit is ripe. The relief 
 about the neck is ^.^ y^ Haou-teen, '/* voracious feeding." The writer 
 again observes, the relief was intended as an admonition against gluttony 
 and excess, when sacrificing to their ancestors. Thus, continues he, what- 
 ever we obtain from the ancients, whether devices or inscriptions, they 
 have all a significant and admonitory meaning. 
 
18 
 
 ANCIENT CHINESE VASES OF 
 
 [B.C. 1743. 
 
 VII. 
 
 This beautiful Vase measured in height, five Chinese inches and nine- 
 tenths ; its ears one inch and two-tenths, and in breadth one inch ; 
 its internal depth, three inches and two-tenths. In front at the top, it 
 measured five inches and one-tenth ; in breadth, three inches and nine- 
 tenths ; at the bottom in front, five inches ; in depth, three inches and 
 eight-tenths. It was capable of containing about an English pint. It 
 weighed four Chinese pounds and twelve ounces. It had four feet, with 
 the above inscription. The characters within the square, at the top of the 
 inscription, are X-^ ^H^ Chaou-foo, supposed to be the name of a person ; 
 but, as it is not found in standard works, it is not known to whom it alludes. 
 The other characters signify the day and month when made. The last 
 character but one is not understood. 
 
 There is another Vase, with the same inscription, which is also considered 
 to belong to the Shang Dynasty, 
 
B.C. 1743.] 
 
 THE SHANG DYNASTY. 
 VIII. 
 
 19 
 
 A golden Vase that measured six Chinese inches and four- tenths in 
 height ; its ears one inch and two-tenths, and the same in breadth ; its 
 internal depth, three inches and three-tenths. In front at top, it mea- 
 sured five inches and five-tenths ; in width, four inches and one-tenth. At 
 the bottom in front, five inches and six-tenths; at the bottom in width 
 four inches and two-tenths. It contained rather more than an English 
 quart. It weighed five Chinese pounds and nine ounces ; and had four 
 feet, with the above inscription. The square is the character d b A, having 
 a dragon within. Below it are the two characters Xa^ 1 Foo-ting. 
 
 The Po-koo-too says, that Cj5 should here be understood to mean a 
 house, temple, or a niche for an idol ; and that Footing was a general term 
 for Vases of the Shany Dynasty. The Tseih-hoo-chae ^0 Y^ vM. by 
 YuEN-YUEN, the late Viceroy of Canton, a learned work on ancient in- 
 scriptions, says, that this Vase is now in the possession of Wang-she, at 
 Han-chow, in Keang-nan ; and that there are a great many Vases extant 
 with the inscription H Jj A. From the Sung Dynasty, and downwards, 
 
 it has been generally supposed, that rp was anciently an ornament 
 
/ 
 
 M- 
 
 20 ANCIENT CHINESE VASES OF [b.c. 1743. 
 
 of temples. Tseen-heen-che says, that 25 is the ancient form of 
 writing zfel Fuh, " to embroider." The Viceroy considers ^4» Fuh and 
 
 niii/v nux. 
 
 i^oo, the same, signifying *' to embroider crowns ; " but that when 
 
 anything denominated a^ Fuh was embroidered, it resembled -^^ Foo, 
 " a battle-axe ; " and that cI p is formed of two t| Kungs, placed back 
 to back, and should be written c p , which is an example of that class of 
 characters denominated ^^ "^ Hwuy-Cy whose forms express their im- 
 port. Hence all Vases that contain the above character, should be under- 
 stood as having been given in consequence of military fame, which the two 
 F4 Kung, ''bows" are thought happily to express. The same remark 
 applies also to the grasping of a bow or spear ; or any missile weapon, de- 
 picted on a Vase. A tiger indicates fierceness. Six Vases of the Chow 
 Dynasty have been obtained with tigers engraved on them. 
 
 IX. 
 
 This Vessel in height measured seven Chinese inches ; its ears one inch 
 \ and five tenths, and one inch and three-tenths in breadth. Its internal depth, 
 three inches and two-tenths. At the mouth it measured in length five 
 
B.C. 1743.] 
 
 THE SHA.NG DYNASTY. 
 
 21 
 
 inches and one-tenth ; in breadth, three inches and eight-tenths. At the 
 centre it measured five inches and two-tenths ; in depth, four inches and 
 nine-tenths. It weighed four Chinese pounds and one ounce, having 
 four feet, with an inscription of eleven characters. The first character 
 contains the name ^Z3 ^P Chaou-foo, and is followed by *^ Shih, 
 " a house," which on Vases, is understood in the sense of Tftg Maou, " a 
 temple." Hence it is inferred that this was a vessel used by the Chaou 
 family, when worshipping in the temple of their ancestors. 
 
 This Vase measured in height, five Chinese inches and seven-tenths ; 
 its €ars, one ^inch and one-tenth ; one inch and three-tenths in breadth ; 
 its internal depth, three inches : its circumference at the top, five inches ; 
 round the centre, five inches and two-tenths. It weighed three Chinese 
 pounds and one ounce ; and had three feet. The inscription consisted of 
 three characters ; one of which represents the growth of grainy with the 
 characters ^"/^ | — Foo-ke. This inscription is not thought to be very 
 perspicuous, though there might have been an assignable reason for it. 
 The inscription, however, is deemed sufiiciently conclusive to warrant its 
 being assigned to the Skang Dynasty. The compilers of the Po-koo-too 
 possessed a wine cup, on which is engraved a figure holding a lance, which 
 
22 
 
 ANCIENT CHINESE VASES OF 
 
 [B.C. 1627. 
 
 is also supposed to belong to the Shang Dynasty. The ears, rim, and feet 
 of this Vase are plain ; while two-thirds of the body is ornamented with 
 the Haou-t'een and Luy-wdn style of relief. 
 
 XI. 
 
 This Vase measured in height five Chinese inches and one-tenth ; its 
 ears, one inch and two-tenths ; and in width, one inch and four-tenths ; 
 its internal depth, three inches and three-tenths: its circumference at 
 the mouth, five inches; round the centre, five inches and five-tenths. 
 It contained about a pint, and weighed two Chinese pounds and six 
 ounces. It had three feet, with an inscription of a youth grasping a 
 weapon, with the characters "^^T p^ Foo-ke. Of the three Dynasties Hea, 
 Shang, and Chow, Shang, it is said, was the period when the deities were 
 mostly revered ; and when sacrificing, profound reverence was observed. 
 The above hieroglyphical form of the character was not then exclusively 
 confined to tripofls, such as we have been describing, but was found on 
 vessels for containing fragrant wines. All inscriptions in which -^ Tsze 
 is combined, imply the exertions of the utmost efibrt to discharge the duties 
 of the situation that a person filled. During the reigns of the early sove- 
 reigns, it is stated, on state occasions, that sons, when waiting on their 
 parents at meals, were required to take the ^^ Hwan, " ornamented 
 knife," and carve and hand round to their sires. At each period in life 
 
B.C. 1627.] 
 
 THE SHANG DYNASTY. 
 
 23 
 
 they were taught particular ceremonies. At a certain age, and on special 
 occasions, the youths on entering the presence of their parents, were re- 
 quired to hold a kind of spear or battle-axe ; and, when able to attend to 
 agriculture, they bore before them the ploughshare. Such conduct, it is 
 observed, was considered the height of filial respect. It is added, ' If thus 
 respectful to parents, how much more did it become them to be so when 
 worshipping the gods.' 
 
 It is supposed that^'^i^ |— ^ Foo-ke alludes to 2j^ t—* Young-ke, 
 who reigned about 1627 B.C. It was his custom to sacrifice three times a 
 year. In consequence of the nobles refusing to repair to his court, he re- 
 signed the throne, and his brother ~j\^ fy Tae-mow, who succeeded 
 him, is supposed to have made use of this Vase when worshipping in the 
 temple of his ancestors. It is recorded of Tae-mow, that he was a virtuous 
 sovereign ; and that in his government he imitated the ancient worthies 
 Fuh-he, Shin-nung, and Hwang- te, — having nourished his people, he was 
 I revered by all the nobles of the surrounding states or principalities ; and 
 I that on one occasion, no fewer than Beventy-six attended at his court. 
 
 XII. 
 
 This Vase measured in height, five Chinese inches and nine-tenths : its 
 ears were one inch and four-tenths high, and one inch and five-tenths 
 
24 
 
 ANCIENT CHINESE VASES OF 
 
 [B.C. 1627. 
 
 broad. Its internal depth was three inches and four-tenths. Its circum- 
 ference at the mouth, four inches and eight-tenths ; round the centre, five 
 inches and six-tenths. It weighed five Chinese pounds and two ounces. 
 
 The inscription consists of an upright lance, with the characters ''^^ 
 ^pN Foo-kwei. It is conjectured that this Vase, with others, having si- 
 milar inscriptions, had reference to the sports of the field, which are here 
 termed "manly exercise." There is also a bottle, with an inscription of a 
 lance or spear ; a tripod, with a lance laid diagonally ; and a particular 
 kind of wine-cup, having a lance depicted on it, which vessels are all de- 
 nominated Foo-kwei. 
 
 XIII. 
 
 This Vase measured in height, nine Chinese inches and six-tenths ; its 
 ears two inches in height, and one inch and six-tenths in breadth. Its 
 internal depth, six inches and three-tenths. Its circumference at the 
 mouth, eight inches and six-tenths ; round the centre, eight inches and 
 seven-tenths. It weighed fourteen Chinese pounds and two ounces. It 
 had three feet ; and the inscription is a hieroglyphic representation of a 
 scorpion. As the character differs from the common seal form, it is con- 
 cluded to be an ancient Vase. The sting of a scorpion, however small, is 
 
B.C. 1627.] 
 
 THE SHANG DYNASTY. 
 
 25 
 
 considered very venomous, and is what the good man carefully avoids : 
 hence the propriety of engraving it on a Vase. By some it is thought to 
 be a person's name ; for during the thirteenth year of Chow-kung, there 
 was a -y^ t^ Kdng-chae, and a -^^ Am. "^ Kung-tsun-chae, 
 and others. Hence it is presumed that the family name of Ckae must have 
 existed under the Shang Dynasty. 
 
 XIV. 
 
 This Vase measured in height, six Chinese inches and one-tenth ; its 
 ears were one inch in height, and in breadth one inch and two-tenths. Its 
 internal depth, three inches and six-tenths. Its circumference at the 
 mouth, five inches and three-tenths ; round the centre, five inches and six- 
 tenths. It had three legs, and weighed four Chinese pounds and a half. 
 
 Gan-wang-gan, in explanation of the inscription upon this Vase, says, 
 that the ancient form of Ping -3^ " to grasp hold of," is composed of the 
 ancient form of y^ " grain," and S? Yew, " the hand." But he was 
 unable to give any meaning to "^S- \Vu Ping-chung, the two centre 
 characters of the inscription. Yuen-yuen, the late viceroy of Canton, who 
 
26 
 
 ANCIENT CHINESE VASES OF 
 
 [B.C. 1627. 
 
 had successfully explained many ancient inscriptions, says, that the two 
 side characters, which the compilers of the Po-koo-too were unable to de- 
 cipher, are ij Chwang and C Peen; and the bottom character not ^dj 
 Chung, but R Muh, "the eye;" which, when united, forms the character 
 IflL Ting, " a vase." Hence the inscription implies Ping's Vase, which 
 seems probable. It is considered a very beautiful vessel. 
 
 XV. 
 
 This Vase in height, measured five Chinese inches and eight-tenths ; 
 its ears were one inch and one-tenth in height ; in breadth, one inch and 
 three-tenths. Its internal depth 'was three inches and two-tenths. Its 
 circumference at top, four inches and nine-tenths ; round the centre, five 
 inches and two-tenths. It weighed three Chinese pounds and two ounces ; 
 and had three feet, with an inscription of eight characters, enclosed within 
 the character T | ^. 
 
 Jo y^ the highest character, is supposed to be the maker's name. 
 That beneath it, on the left, represents an erect standard, indicative of 
 power. The third character on the right, is a hieroglyphical representa- 
 
B.C. 1627.] THE SHANG DYNASTY. 27 
 
 tion of two hands, offering or rendering assistance. In three comers of the 
 square the character 1 Ting, occurs repeated. -•'^i^ ffl Foo-kea, near 
 the centre, and / Yih, on the left side of the standard. Kwei ^^ oc- 
 curs under the first ''Ting. In this brief inscription there are no fewer 
 than four astronomical characters. The character ^^5^^ ^^"^ " father," 
 indicates this Vase to have been sacred to the head of a family, and not 
 intended for the use of the sons during the father's life-time. 
 
 The characters which are applied to the nine standards are derived from 
 T^i Ke, which is the modern form of the hieroglyphical character for 
 standard. The standard of a Choo-how, or Duke, was called TcT Ke ; a 
 Keun-le, or General, 1\^ Ke ; a Koo-leang, 'Jm Chen; the higher 
 officers of state, "nfj^ Yu ; those of the secondary rank, who had one or 
 more dragons depicted on their standards, tH|( Chaeu, &c., &c. The 
 offering of any thing with both hands indicates veneration for the thing 
 offered, or respect for the person to whom it was offered. The She-king 
 (Book of Odes, by Confucius) remarks, that " all officers when sacrificing 
 appear in their state dress ; and that the virtues of the sages in venerating 
 their ancestors, cannot be excelled." 
 
 The Chinese have ten astronomical characters ; and twelve characters for 
 the divisions of the day and night. The inscriptions on Vases, &c., during 
 the Shang Dynasty, were brief, the day only being mentioned : but during 
 the Cfiow Dynasty, the hour has been given. In remote antiquity, the days 
 were distinguished into >?* M Jow.jih, " soft day," and pjlj M Kang- 
 jih, "hard day." Other writers have designated them Yin and Yang, 
 " male and female days," synonymous with lucky and unlucky days. Mar- 
 riage sacrifices, and those oftered on other domestic occasions, were pre- 
 sented on a Jow-jih, or " soft day ; " those on military, or similar occasions, 
 were invariably oftered on a Kang-jih, or " hard day." Probably to this 
 custom may be traced the present felicitous and infelicitous days, — days 
 which are considered proper or improper for marriages, sacrifices, &c. 
 This Vase having the character tp Kea, it would be used on a Kang-jih, 
 " hard day," consequently on a military occasion. Its workmanship being 
 exquisite, it is supposed to have been made during the tranquil period of 
 the Sliang Dynasty. 
 
28 
 
 ANCIENT CHINESE VASES OF 
 
 [B.C. 1627. 
 
 XVI. 
 
 
 This Vase was five inches and seven-tenths in height ; its ears, one inch 
 and seven-tenths ; its containing depth three inches and four-tenths ; and it 
 measured round the centre, five inches and four-tenths. It weighed three 
 pounds and nine ounces, and had an inscription of one character, supposed 
 to mean a beast of prey. This Vase is considered very ancient and very 
 chaste, and is enriched with the Haou-t'een device. The virtuosi of the 
 Chow Dynasty, on examining the Vases that had been transmitted, ad- 
 mitted that this vessel must have belonged to the SAan^ Dynasty. It is 
 here stated, that Confucius, in his Chun-tsew History, remarks, he 
 knew not the origin of the admonition Haou-t'een, " voracious eating," 
 and therefore it is presumed that its use must have been very ancient. 
 The same work narrates, that during the third year of Duke Tsew-kung, 
 on King Tsun-mawn discoursing on Vases, he states, " That the founder 
 of the Hea family, besides collecting vessels that were rare, on receiving 
 tribute in gold from the Prince of Kew-muh, caused it to be melted 
 down, of which Vases were formed ; which Vases were copied by the people 
 of Shang, the succeeding Dynasty. 
 
B.C. 1627.] 
 
 THE SHA.NG DYNASTY. 
 
 29 
 
 XVII. 
 
 This Vase measured five inches and five-tenths in height ; its ears one 
 inch ; its containing depth, three inches and three-tenths ; it measured 
 round the centre five inches ; and weighed three pounds and ten ounces ; 
 with an inscription of three characters, viz. Moon, Fish, and Altar or Stand. 
 The ancients, it is said, frequently offered sacrifice. When they made 
 their offerings to Heaven, it was on a round eminence ; when to the Earth, 
 it was on a square eminence, remote from the capitol. When offerings 
 were presented to the Sun, it was observed in the Royal Palace ; when to 
 the Moon, it was in the Ya-ming apartments of the palace (Ya-ming, 
 means splendid night) ; and to the Stars, in the Yew-yung apartments, so that 
 each had a temple or apartment set apart for the offerings, where their aid 
 was solicited. The offerings accorded with the particular season of the 
 year. Shwo-wan remarks, that in Winter fish was offered to the Moon ; 
 but that in Spring, it was necessary to offer the Wei fish, which is not de- 
 scribed. He further remarks, that the altar or stand anciently used, was 
 of the form of the last character of the inscription. 
 
 V 
 
30 
 
 ANCIENT CHINESE VASES OF 
 
 [B.C. 1627. 
 
 XVIII. 
 
 The size of this Vase is not mentioned. It is remarked, that as many of 
 the descendants of Yu (who is said to have carried off the waters of the 
 Deluge) were named -t>* Ko, which means a "spear, or lance," with 
 a transverse point, the name during the Shang Dynasty having become 
 popular, many persons who had a taste for Vases caused that character 
 to be inscribed on them, as well as on bottles, jars, &c. ; the moderns 
 therefore feel confident that this Vase must have belonged to the Shang 
 Dynasty. The work Tsze-shwo, by Gan-shih, observes, that -^nr Ko, " a 
 spear," and BjT Keih, "a halberd," were weapons used by the military ; 
 and that Ko, the lesser weapon was dejjicted on vessels used for eating 
 and drinking, to remind persons against danger. The pronoun +t7 Wo, 
 " I or We," is formed of Ko, to remind individuals, that he has 
 enemies, with whom, if he has not intelligence to compete, he will 
 sustain defeat : this is what the ancients wished to guard against ; and is 
 another illustration of those characters which from their form express their 
 
B.C. 1627.} 
 
 THE SHANG DYNASTY. 
 
 31 
 
 import, or are significant characters. The Vase is denominated a -^^ ^ 
 Foo-kea, which is here said to imply commanding respect for the gods. 
 
 XIX. 
 
 This Vase measured in height, six Chinese inches and six-tenths ; its 
 ears were one inch and three-tenths in height, and in breadth one inch 
 and four-tenths. Its internal depth was four inches and four-lenths. Its 
 circumference at the neck, five inches and nine-tenths; and round the 
 centre, six inches and seven-tenths. It weighed four Chinese pounds and 
 six ounces. It was chiefly embellished with the Yun-luy, " cloud and thun- 
 der device," and had ^^ '^^ ( Ke-foo-yik, inscribed on it ; which 
 is considered an evident proof that the Vase belonged to the Shang 
 Dynasty. 
 
 There is a Jug, denominated Chaou-kung's jug, with the above inscrip- 
 tion on it, that has been satisfactorily proved to be of the Chow Dynasty, 
 and was given by one of those sovereigns to Paou-ta, the descendant of 
 Chaou-kung, whose proper name was 7 Yih; the word ''^^ FoOy 
 which precedes the name, is here said to be a mere honorary title. On 
 
32 
 
 ANCIENT CHINESE VASES OF 
 
 [B.C. 1627. 
 
 comparing the Vase with the Jug, from its form and style of embellishment, 
 as well as the antique form of the characters on the Vase, the writer en- 
 tertains no doubt of its being a Vase of the Shang Dynasty. 
 
 Ke ^^^ is supposed to be the name of a state during this Dynasty ; 
 and though the records of the Dynasty do not mention such a state, yet 
 it is very possible that there was a state of that name ; for it is said, that on 
 Ching-tang, the founder of the Dynasty, ascending the throne, 1743 B.C., 
 no fewer than three thousand nobles resorted to his court ; many of whom 
 presided over petty kingdoms or states ! 
 
 XX. 
 
 This Vase measured in height, six Chinese inches and nine-tenths; its 
 ears were one inch and six-tenths high, and one inch and five-tenths 
 broad. Its interior depth was four inches and one-tenth. Its circum- 
 ference at the neck, five inches and eight-tenths ; and round the centre, six 
 inches and four-tenths. It weighed three Chinese pounds and six ounces ; 
 and had the ancient form of WA. Ting, "a tripod," engraved on it. 
 That this Vase belongs to the Shang Dynasty there can be no doubt, from 
 its symmetry, as well as from the ancient form of the character Ting. 
 
B.C. 1627.] 
 
 THE SHANG DYNASTY. 
 
 33 
 
 In later times, this character was written these several ways, ^ ^ 
 S^ s which are esteemed highly hieroglyphical ; while during the Han 
 Dynasty, it was written rS:> which is said to be formed from an enclosure 
 and two bars laid across, and pi Muh, the ancient form of wood, rent 
 asunder for the purpose of fuel, and placed horizontally. This latter cha- 
 racter is thought fully to explain the character on the Vase ; and both are 
 greatly admired for their significant form. This Vase is supposed to have 
 been used on extraordinary occasions ; for all Vases with Ting on them 
 were considered Kwei-ting, ^^ honourable Vases." 
 
 XXI. 
 
 # 
 
 This Vase measured in height five Chinese inches and eight-tenths ; its 
 ears were one inch and five-tenths high, and one inch and three-tenths 
 broad. Its interior depth was three inches. Its circumference at the 
 neck, five inches ; and round the centre, five inches and six-tenths. It 
 weighed two Chinese pounds and fifteen ounces. It had the character 
 ^^ Fei engraved on it; written by the moderns 3p ^^^' ^^ com- 
 paring this Vase with those already described, it is said, there can be no 
 
34 ANCIENT CHINESE VASES. [b.c. 1627. 
 
 doubt, from the relief, but that it is a Vase of the Shang Dynasty. Accord- 
 ing to the record Gan-le, there was a person named Fei, master of the 
 horse to king Keaou, of the Chow Dynasty ; but, as he lived nearly two 
 hundred years after the close of the house oi Shang , there is no probability 
 of its being a Vase belonging to him. But the descendants of Wei-kung, 
 who lived about the time of ■jiTH TO Tsoo-kea, 1216 B.C., were called 
 Fei, which family is known to have existed for five generations ; it is 
 therefore presumed to have belonged to one of them, — to which, the writer 
 observes, there is some doubt. 
 
 
WINE VESSELS OF THE SHANG DYNASTY. 
 
 The Class denominated M. Tsun. 
 
 XXII. 
 
 This Vessel measured in height nine Chinese inches and two-tenths ; 
 its containing depth was eight inches ; its circumference at the top, seven 
 inches and eight-tenths ; and at the centre, seven inches and five-tenths. 
 It weighed seven Chinese pounds and twelve ounces, and was capable of 
 containing three pints. On the back was engraved the above inscription, 
 which is now written Y^^ •-'A^ ^A^ Tsunfoo Kwei. The last character 
 was the name of the father of Ching-tang, the founder of the Shang 
 Dynasty, and the vessel is supposed to have been made by order of Ching- 
 TANG, on possessing himself of the empire in honour of his ancestors. 
 Tsun (a grandson), the first character, which was his private name, repre- 
 
36 
 
 ANCIENT CHINESE WINE VESSELS 
 
 [B.C. 1552. 
 
 sents him as grasping a sword in each hand, indicating acqnired power ; 
 and is considered a very early mode of writing the character. The vessel, 
 which is of a quadrangular form, is highly valued for its antiquity, and its 
 workmanship is considered very beautiful. When sacrificing, two of these 
 vessels were commonly used for containing wine. 
 
 XXIII. 
 
 This Vessel measured in height, eleven Chinese inches and seven-tenths ; 
 its containing depth was eight inches and six-tenths. At the mouth, it 
 measured eight inches and three-tenths ; and round the centre, four 
 inches. It weighed eight Chinese pounds and five ounces. The inscrip- 
 tion may be thus translated: " This valuable Vessel is made in honour of 
 the ancestors of Mow." 
 
 There was an Emperor named ~j\~ "TTT Tae-mow, who reigned 
 1552 B.C., who has already been mentioned, and to whom this vessel is 
 supposed to refer. By his descendants, who were persons of eminence 
 
OF THE SHANG DYNASTY. 
 
 37 
 
 B.C. 1552.] 
 
 during nine generations, it was used when worshipping at the altars 
 raised to him. The compilers of the Po-koo-too consider it a most beauti- 
 ful and elegantly-executed vessel, and saj', it has excited the admiration of 
 all who have seen it, more especially when its great antiquity is considered. 
 
 XXIV. 
 
 This Vessel, including its cover, measured in height six Chinese inches 
 and two-tenths ; its containing^depth was four inches and one-tenth. Its 
 circumference at the mouth, was three inches and three-tenths; round the 
 centre, three inches and five-tenths. Its containing capacity was rather 
 more than a pint, and it weighed one Chinese pound and two ounces. 
 The inscription contained eight characters, including the one on the cover. 
 
 During the Shang Dynasty, it was customary for the Chmo officer four 
 times a-year to sacrifice at the royal altars, and invoke blessings on the 
 government and people. On these occasions vessels were set apart, on 
 which certain animals were depicted, in accordance with the season of the 
 year. The inscription may be thus rendered : " Chow (the Tae-sze 
 
38 
 
 ANCIENT CHINESE WINE VESSELS 
 
 [B.C. 1552. 
 
 officer) made this Foo-yih (sacred vessel)." The last character is a hiero- 
 glyphical representation of the mlt Wei animal, which is variously de- 
 scribed ; one says it is a large animal resembling a rhinoceros ; another, a 
 species of baboon, with a very long tail, with which it is capable of sus- 
 pending itself from a tree. The character ^^ Woo, on the cover, which 
 is now written -f] Woo, "Five," is thought to indicate the order in 
 which the vessel was used. When the Emperor in person sacrificed, two of 
 these vessels were required. The reader will observe that the last character 
 differs from the ancient form of J^ Hoo, " a tiger," the tail being curved. 
 
 XXV. 
 
 ; This Vessel measured in height, eight Chinese inches and five-tenths; 
 
 \ its containing depth was seven inches. Its circumference at the mouth, 
 
 \ six inches and eight-tenths ; round the centre, three inches and seven- 
 
 i tenths. It was capable of containing about three English pints, and 
 
 i weighed three Chinese pounds. It had the above inscription, which is 
 
B.C. 1455.] OF THE SHANG DYNASTY. 39 
 
 now written HS K^ -^ A-jin Sin, " the men of Sin." The last 
 character formed part of the name of three Emperors of the Shang Dynasty, 
 viz. nrB -y- Tsoo-siN, whose reign closed, 1455 B.C. ; A\ — ttt Seaou- 
 siN, 1342, and I© -y- Lin-sin, 1209 B. C, who were not distin- 
 guished by anything remarkable in their conduct or government. How- 
 ever, to one of them it is supposed to have belonged. Several vessels with 
 the same inscription have been transmitted to modem times. 
 
 The Chinese speak of their ancient Emperors IlJL Yaou and ^I* 
 Shun (the former of whom died about 2230 years B.C.), as the most 
 celebrated in their history, and as being appointed by Heaven to govern 
 the people, who were styled >-^ Te, " Sovereigns," potentates who dis- 
 pensed laws according to the principles of Heaven. 
 
 The Sovereigns of the Hea Dynasty, who also cultivated virtue, and 
 acted in obedience to Heaven, considering themselves not worthy to use the 
 title Te, "Sovereign," changed the imperial designation to -4- Wang, 
 " king," which preceded their names, as -t- •TtB Wang Seang, " King 
 Seang," whereas the former designation followed the name ; intimating 
 that they were persons inferior to the Sovereigns Hwang-te, Yaou, 
 and Shun. But the Sovereigns of the Chow Dynasty (900 years later), 
 to shew their veneration for their predecessors, placed the title again 
 after the name, as rpp -1-^ Woo Wang, " Woo, the king." The work 
 entitled Ke-le, when treating of the Shang and Choio Dynasties, adopts 
 the following European mode of expression, ''the people of Shang," and 
 " the people of Chow," which mode of speech is thought to confirm the 
 interpretation of the above inscription, " The people of Sin ;" i. e. a vessel 
 set apart for invoking a blessing on the people of the state Sin. 
 
 The writer hitherto has been unable satisfactorily to account for the in- 
 variable use of cp A, (the first character in the inscription,) preceding 
 the names of persons, when addressed, as ^-lae, ^-yin, ^-mow, &c. — does it 
 owe its origin to the above inscription, *' a person of the Zae, Yin, Mow, or 
 Sin families" ? It has not the same import as Mr. with us, for it forms 
 part of the signature of the lower classes of the people, when they write 
 their names. Is it used for mere euphony, that the second sound may 
 strike the ear more forcibly ? 
 
40 
 
 ANCIENT CHINESE WINE VESSELS 
 
 XVII. 
 
 [b.c. 145). 
 
 m m 
 
 m m 
 
 This Vessel measured in height, eight Chinese inches and eight-tenths ; 
 its containing depth was seven inches. Its circumference at the top six 
 inches and eight-tenths ; and around the centre four inches and five-tenths. 
 Its containing capacity was about an English pint, and it weighed three 
 Chinese pounds and twelve ounces. 
 
 In remote antiquity, besides conferring honorary vessels, it was the 
 custom for the Prince to reward the merits of those ministers who had dis- 
 tinguished themselves, by inscribing their names and deeds in some public 
 record, which record was denominated lilt Tseih. In the above inscrip- 
 tion this character is repeated, implying that the name of the individual to 
 whom the Vessel was presented had often been recorded for [distinguished 
 merit. The first character was the hieroglyphic mode of writing V'^Sun, 
 " a grandson, or descendant ;" the two latter -^^ Y Foo-yih, The 
 compilers of the Po-koo-too here remark, that Yth seems to be the name 
 of the family, and Foo, which is generally rendered " father," means 
 ** ancestor ;" hence they read this inscription, "The grandson having re- 
 
B.C. 1455.] 
 
 OF THE SHANG DYNASTY. 
 
 41 
 
 peatedly caused himself to be recorded on account of meritorious conduct, 
 has had this Vessel made for his own use when worshipping in the temple of 
 his ancestors." They further remark, that it has been shewn under the 
 first Vase, that no fewer than four Emperors of this Dynasty took the name 
 of ~7 "YiH, and consequently, at this great distance of time it ought not 
 to excite surprise, if we are unable to determine to whom it refers ; al- 
 though, from the ancient form of the characters, there is not the least 
 doubt but that it b a vessel of the Shang Dynasty. 
 
 XXVII. 
 
 This Vessel measured in height, eight Chinese inches and nine-tenths ; its 
 containing depth was seven inches and six-tenths ; its circumference at the 
 mouth, six inches and nine-tenths : round the centre, four inches and one- 
 tenth. It weighed four Chinese pounds and eight ounces ; and had the 
 above inscription. 
 
 The relief, which is denominated " clouds and thunder," is considered 
 extremely chaste. The first character of the inscription represents a mis- 
 
42 
 
 ANCIENT CHINESE WINE VESSELS 
 
 [b.c. 1455. 
 
 Bile weapon raised, and imports, when on a Vase or Wine Vessel, an admoni- 
 tion against excessive eating and drinking at the time of sacrificing. The 
 two last characters are /v ^^ Jin Kwei, " the people of Kwei." The 
 father of Ching-tang, the founder of the Dynasty, being called Kwei, 
 it is conjectured that the people of his native district presented him with 
 this Vessel, to be placed in the temple of his ancestors, and that it was 
 afterwards removed to the royal temple of the house of Tang. 
 
 XXVIII. 
 
 J 
 
 This Vessel, with its cover, measured in height seven Chinese inches and 
 two-tenths ; its containing depth was four inches and six-tenths ; its cir- 
 cumference, at the neck, three-inches and seven-tenths ; round the centre, 
 four inches. It weighed two Chinese pounds and fifteen ounces. The 
 above inscription was on the cover, as well as on the vessel. 
 
 The Vessel is supposed to have been made by H^ e^" Tae-kang, 
 

 B.C. 1C56.] OF THE SIIANG DYNASTY. 43 
 
 and presented to his brother y^ J Yuh-ting,* who surrendered 
 the throne to him about 1656 B.C. About one hundred years later, there 
 was an emjieror named nptj 1 Chung-ting, who also resigned the 
 throne to his brother ^h ill Wei-jin. It is doubtful to which of those 
 two persons the inscrijjtion refers. If those princes really transferred the 
 throne, as above mentioned, the national designation must have been con- 
 tinued during their lives, for the standard history does not mention the 
 later Sovereigns till the death of the former. As the last character is a 
 hieroglyphical form of ^t Ke, " a fowl," this Vessel should have been 
 classed with the W^ E Vessels. 
 
 XXIX. 
 
 This beautiful Vessel measured in height nine Chinese inches and eight- 
 
 • During the reign of this monarch the celebrated minister E-yun died, who was interred 
 by his Sovereign with imperial pomp. His Majesty himself attended, and offered sacrifice 
 to Heaven in honour of the minister's eminent talents. He was a great Statesman. 
 
44 ANCIENT CHINESE WINE VESSELS [b.c. 1656. 
 
 tenths ; and its containing depth was eight inches and one-tenth. In cir- 
 cumference at the mouth, it measured five inches and six-tenths ; round 
 the centre, seven inches and four-tenths ; and it weighed ten Chinese 
 pounds. It had no inscription. This Vessel, the Po-koo-too says, has al- 
 ways been considered very beautiful, and very ancient. That part of the 
 relief which forms a circle in the centre, is considered as represent- 
 ing the imaginary -gH Lung, Dragon, "the god of rain;" who is said 
 to ascend and descend in the clouds, which is the Imperial Arms of 
 China, and is depicted on our title page, having four legs with claws. 
 Its origin is carried back to the time of Fuh-he, (2962 years B. C.) who is 
 supposed to have seen it come out of a river in Ho-nan province, and 
 was then adopted as the national sandard ; it therefore has existed nearly 
 5000 years ! In the United Service Museum, Whitehall, there is an Im- 
 perial arms, in brass, about two feet high, with large Chinese Characters 
 in the centre (the tortuous Dragon in beautiful relief forming its frame), 
 which reads thus. Wan suy, wan, wan suy, " May the Emperor live ten 
 thousand years, ten thousand, ten thousand years !" that is. May the Em- 
 peror live for ever and ever. It is this Lung that is yearly honored by 
 what is termed the Feast of Lanterns, when almost literally the whole 
 male population of the rural districts, and other places, parade the streets, 
 each bearing on high a lighted lantern, preceded by bands of music and a 
 long Dragon with a large mouth, made of silk, in which are men, who by 
 plunging give it numerous contortions, which afford no small amuse- 
 ment. From a short distance, the glare of light, with the wanderings 
 of such a body of persons, and the incesant noise of crackers, make it an 
 interesting sight. 
 
 The four sides of the Vessel are also said to represent, or to |be in 
 honour of, the felicitous bird Hwang, which appears only at periods of 
 great national prosperity. Other parts of the relief, which are described 
 in the same fanciful manner, were, in those days, considered admonitory of 
 the necessity of decorum and propriety when sacrificing, by not abusing 
 the creatures. 
 
B.C. 1627.] 
 
 OF THE SHANG DYNASTY. 
 
 45 
 
 THE E m VESSELS OF THE SHANG DYNASTY, 
 
 Containing Water and the Fragrant Wine *^^ *^p Yuk-chang. 
 
 XXX. 
 
 This Vessel measured in height five Chinese inches and seven-tenths ; 
 its containing depth, four inches and five-tenths ; its circumference at the 
 top, seven inches and two-tenths. It weighed five Chinese pounds and 
 fourteen ounces. It had two handles, or ears, as the Chinese term them, 
 for ornament. This Vessel is considered very plain, but was used for 
 sacred purposes. The handle is said to be formed of the head of an animal 
 knovni for its greedy appetite : hence its admonitory design. It had no 
 inscription. 
 
46 
 
 ANCIENT CHINESE WINE VESSELS [b.c. IG27. 
 
 XXXI. 
 
 
 I This Vessel measured in height six Chinese inches ; its containing depth, 
 
 I four inches and seven-tenths ; its circumference at the top, eight inches 
 
 I and two-tenths ; and around the centre, eight inches. It weighed seven 
 
 I Chinese pounds and six ounces ; and had two handles, with the inscription 
 
 I of t — ' y^^ E-KEu. The ornament on the vessel is called ^K *^'^''' 
 
 I " breast," of which there are a hundred and forty-one. There were se- 
 
 i veral Sovereigns of this Dynasty who took the name of E, but it is consi- 
 
 l dered uncertain to whom the inscription alludes. Anciently, a person of 
 the name of Le-king, of the state Lin, obtained a valuable Vase at Shotv- 
 
 < yang, with a similar inscription ; and a person named Wang-keae, also 
 ^ obtained an ancient Vessel at Lo-yang, with the inscription I yj^ 
 { Tinq-keu, which greatly resembled the above Vessel in its form, as well as 
 \ in the mode of writing the inscription. The character y^ r Keu, is formed 
 \ of Yu -ffl. "with," and ^ Shmo, "the hand," i. e. "to lift with the 
 5 band ;" hence some have imagined that the inscription indicates the exclu- 
 
 < sive use of the Vessel, to be raised or held ujj when offering the wine. 
 
B.C. 1656.] 
 
 OF THE .SHANG DYNASTY, 
 
 47 
 
 XXXII. 
 
 
 This Vessel measured in height three Chinese inches and five-tenths ; 
 its containing^ depth, two inches and nine-tenths ; round the centre, four 
 inches and six-tenths. It contained about an English pint, and weighed 
 two Chinese pounds, having the above inscription, meaning " Sons and 
 grandsons." The second character is considered an unusual form, for be- 
 sides that which indicates a grandson, with raised hands, there is blended 
 with it Pj Jth,^' the sun," forming a compound character. One authority 
 saj'S, the two characters intimate that the Vessel should be transmitted 
 from son to grandson — a correct sentiment : and that 'raising the hands to- 
 wards the sun, indicates respect due to a Prince. He that is acquainted 
 with the respect due to a Prince, will not be unacquainted with the duties that 
 are required from a minister, or son.' The form of the characters is 
 thought sufficient to prove that the Vessel belonged to the Shang 
 Dynasty. 
 
48 
 
 ANCIENT CHINESE WINE VESSELS 
 
 [B.C. 1627. 
 
 XXXIII. 
 
 This Vessel measured in height four Chinese inches and three-tenths ; its 
 containing depth was three inches and five-tenths ; its circumference at 
 the top, six inches and three-tenths; round the centre, six inches and 
 five tenths. It weighed two Chinese pounds and thirteen ounces ; with 
 the above inscription, which seems to mean a valuable, or precious E 
 Wine Vessel. The handles of this Vessel having the form of a tiger's 
 head, it has been designated the Tiger-head Vessel. 
 
 An eminent writer supposes that it was used at one of the rites at which 
 the Emperor presided, called Te-ka. The same writer remarks, that 
 this Vessel was not ornamented with the tiger's head to remind us 
 that that animal came from the west, but to admonish us to exercise the 
 five cardinal virtues, * Benevolence, Justice, Integrity, Sincerity, and 
 Prudence.' 
 
B.C. 1496.] 
 
 OF THE SHANG DYNASTY. 
 
 49 
 
 The ga Tseo Vessels. 
 
 XXXIV. 
 
 The above is a specimen of thirty-five Vessels ascribed to this period, 
 which differ very little in their devices. In the introductory remarks to 
 a description of one of them it is said, " Though the Vessel is small, and 
 may be considered of little worth, yet being a Tseo Vessel, one used ex- 
 clusively by the nobility, and by the officiating officer or Emperor to 
 drink out of, when sacrificing, it is a Vessel of very great importance in 
 the national rites." Its service was required when worshipping the God 
 of Heaven, and the earth, spirits, and genii ; also, on ceremonial visits. 
 It was in height about seven Chinese inches. ITie whole of the series 
 have a handle, with eyes thereon, as though looking at the worshipper. 
 It must be admitted to be a very elegant Vessel. 
 
50 
 
 ANCIENT CHINESE WINE VESSELS [b.c. 1426. 
 
 VESSELS FOR CONTAINING FRAGRANT WINE, \ 
 
 The Class denominated m Yew. \ 
 
 XXXV. 
 
 _Q)(r^57) 
 
 This Vessel including the cover, measured in height,' twelve Chinese I 
 
B.C. 1496.] OF THE SHA.NG DYNASTY. 51 
 
 inches and four-tenths ; its containing depth, seven inches and five-tenths ; 
 the length of the neck, four inches and eight-tenths ; that of the body, eight 
 inches and six-tenths ; and the circumference, seven inches and two-tenths. 
 It weighed nine Chinese pounds and twelve ounces. The inscription, 
 which was engraved on the cover and on the vessel, is by the moderns 
 written, J^ ^'^ i|g^ "/^ ^ ^ ^ Sun, tso Tsoo-yih paou 
 tsun e, " The descendants made this beautiful or valuable Vessel in vene- 
 ration of their ancestor Tsoo-yih." From the form of the first ancient 
 character, a hand grasping a missile weapon, this Vessel has been denomi- 
 nated the Che-taou, " grasping-a-knife Vessel." The Emperor Tsoo-yih 
 reigned 1496 B.C., and was the son of Ho-tan-kea ; who, owing to great 
 inundations, removed his court to Ho-chung-foo, in Honan province. 
 The compilers of the Po-hoo-too here remark, that the ancient forms of 
 Sun almost invariably represent it as grasping a weapon, which restricts 
 its meaning to that of a son, or grandson. 
 
 It is also stated, that their ancient Emperors, to encourage agriculture, 
 held annually a public festival, when, in the presence of their Court and 
 Gentry, they handled the plough, and were followed by their nobles. This 
 may be something similar to our ancient Plough Monday. On this 
 occasion, the monarch was required to take hold of the ^^ I I Lwan- 
 knife ; and on offering wine, to make use of the .^^ He, Vessel. When 
 the sacred dance commenced, he raised the — t-- "14=1* Kan-tsuh banner ; 
 for it was considered indispensable that all the public rites should be 
 performed with dignity. Those who assisted at the sacrifice had with 
 them a knife : may we read a sioord 1 This is assigned as a reason why 
 the first character is holding up a knife, or other weapon. The ancient 
 work Le-ke states, that the " usage while dividing the sacrifice, required 
 that the arm should be bared." 
 
 From the relief and form of the characters, there can be no doubt, say 
 the Compilers, but that the Vessel is very ancient, and was the first of this 
 kind of vessels. 
 
52 
 
 ANCIENT CHINESE WINE VESSELS [b-c H96. 
 
 XXXVI. 
 
 This Vessel, including the cover, measured in height, eleven Chinese 
 inches and six-tenths ; its containing depth was seven inches and five- 
 
B.C. 1496.] 
 
 OF THE SHA.NG DYNASTY. 
 
 63 
 
 tenths ; its circumference, at the neck, four inches and four-tenths, and at 
 the centre, seven inches and three-tendis. It held about two English 
 quarts, and weighed fifteen Chinese pounds and six ounces. In the relief, 
 it is said, may be traced the forms of the fabulous birds Htcang and Fung^ 
 which are frequently spoken of in this and the preceding Dynasty. Their 
 appearance indicated great national prosjjerity ; and the Vessel is supposed 
 to have been used on occasions of national rejoicings, particularly as this 
 device was frequently employed for similar purposes during the Clww 
 Dynasty. 
 
 XXXVII. 
 
 This Vessel, exclusive of its cover, measured nine Chinese inches and 
 three-tenths in height ; and its containing depth seven inches and five- 
 tenths. The circumference, at the neck, was four inches and five-tenths ; 
 •and at the centre, seven inches and one-tenth : from the neck downwards, 
 
54 ANCIENT CHINESE WINE VESSELS [b.c. 1496. 
 
 it was eight inches. It was capable^of containing about three English 
 pints, but weighed only thirteen Chinese ounces. The first character of 
 the inscription is JjyK '^""> gi'^sping a staff with the right hand, and a 
 kind of pronged halbert with the left. The import of the characters is, 
 ** The grandson of Tsoo-tsin made, or caused to be made, this precious 
 Vessel to be used in the temple he had erected to his ancestors.'^ The 
 fourteenth Emperor of the Choio Dynasty was called ■jiTH -^r" Tsoo-tsin 
 (about 1480 B. C), and his brother yr^ r3 Yuh-kea. They were sons 
 of the Emperor t^H 7 Tsoo-yih ; and the latter was father to "j][p| \ 
 Tsoo-TiNG. From the form of the first character, it is presumed that the 
 Vessel was used at military feasts. 
 
 The Emperor Shun, on being called to rule over the empire (2I60 B.C.), 
 caused an ensign of royalty to be placed at the entrance of his palace, and 
 was attended by a band of musicians ; which usage was continued by his 
 descendants. Flags were also anciently considered necessary at dances, 
 and especially on all public rejoicings. They were borne in the hand in 
 religious procession, and when worshipping at difierent altars ; hence it 
 has been thought more than probable, that the staff in the right hand of 
 the first character of the inscription should be understood as being a stan- 
 dard. 
 
 On Tsoo-yih, Shun's successor, ascending the throne, commotion 
 generally prevailed ; but it was happily subdued before the close of his 
 reign. It is therefore conjectured that thi^ Vessel was made in commemo- 
 ration of his mild government. 
 
B.C. 1496.] 
 
 OF THE SHANG DYNASTY. 
 
 55 
 
 XXXVIII. 
 
 This Vessel with its cover measured in height, thirteen Chinese inehes ; 
 its containing depth was six inches and four- tenths; its circumference 
 at the neck three inches, and round the centre seven inches ; it weighed 
 ten Chinese pounds and seven ounces ; it had two ears and an arched 
 
•kfvA/vfVAA i^rvnrvn rvn ^ 
 
 56 
 
 ANCIENT CHINESE WINE VESSELS 
 
 [B.C. 1496. 
 
 handle. The vessel and cover had the hieroglyphic representation of a rhi- 
 noceros. There is a passage in the Lun-yuy which says, " A tiger and a 
 rhinoceros, on escaping from confinement, are known not to be docile 
 animals, but destroyers of mankind," The ancients, at an early period, 
 used a cup made of the horn of a rhinoceros to drink out of, as a forfeit 
 or punishment. The She-king, in denouncing the crimes of one of the 
 ancient ministers, says, " Give him (the transgressor) a rhinoceros' cup I" 
 It is presumed, from the vessel having the above inscription, that it was 
 intended to be admonitory, which seems confirmed by its having the 
 Haou-teen device both on the handle and body of the vessel, which has 
 already been explained. On the cover two heads of an animal may be 
 traced, and one also on the handle, which are said to be the heads of the 
 rhinoceroses. 
 
 This Vessel, including the cover, measured in height, seven Chinese 
 
B.C. 1496.] 
 
 OF THE SHANG DYNASTY. 
 
 inches and three-tenths ; its containing depth was five inches and three- 
 tenths; its circumference at the neck, two inches and one-tenth; and round 
 the centre four inches ; it weighed two Chinese pounds and twelve ounces, 
 and had two ears or handles. 
 
 The inscription reads thus: — "The king, Ting-tsze, on Ping-kei 
 day, gave this valuable Vessel to be used when worshipping his brother's 
 manes, on the nineteenth evening of the month, being the ninth year of 
 his reign. May he experience ages of felicity!" The last character is 
 not understood, though supposed to mean Kaou, " high, lofty." 
 
 It is not known to whom this inscription alludes. The Sovereigns of the 
 Hea and Chow Dynasties were styled Wang, or kings ; while those of the 
 Shang Dynasty, of which we are treating, did not make use of any title, but 
 blending some assumed name with the name of the day on which they 
 ascended the throne, it became their designation. Sze, " a year," the last 
 character but three, affords good data to calculate on, as to the period when 
 the Vessel was made, for during the time of the ancient worthies Yaou, 
 and Shcn, the year was expressed by ffiL Tsae ; during the Hea Dynasty 
 by ^H Suy; and the Shang Dynasty by i^p Sze ; hence, from their 
 mode of writing the word year, little doubt can be entertained but that 
 this Vessel belonged to this period, for the Chow Sovereigns (the following 
 Dynasty) adopted it. N'een, for the year, which has been continued to 
 the present day. 
 
58 
 
 ANCIENT CHINESE WINE VESSELS [b.c. 1496. 
 
 XL. 
 
 This Vessel, including its cover, measured in height ten Chinese inches ; i 
 its containing depth seven inches and five-tenths ; the circumference of \ 
 its neck three inches and five-tenths ; its breadth two inches and six- \ 
 
I B.C. 1496.] OF THE SHANG DYNASTY. 59 
 
 l tenths ; the length of the body six inches and seven-tenths ; its circum- 
 
 ? ference five inches and four-tenths. It contained two quarts, and weighed 
 
 I seven Chinese pounds and five ounces; it had two ears and a handle, with 
 
 \ the above inscription on the vessel and cover. The first character is 
 
 I formed of three arrows stuck in a kind of stand, the other three are Pet 
 
 I foo Sin. The ShoO'king records, that the Sovereign of Ping made Duke 
 
 > Wan, of the state Sin, a present of a vessel for containing fragrant 
 5 wine, a bow, and one hundred arrows made of the Tung wood; also a 
 : bow made of the Lew wood, with one hundred arrows, which kind of 
 \ arrows were highly esteemed in those days. The first character is 
 \ thought to be hieroglyjihical of the three presents. The Vessel is stated 
 I to have been preserved by the family, in remembrance of the munificence 
 
 > of the Prince who bestowed it. 
 
 \ The compilers of the Po-koo-too in their discussions on the above 
 
 \ inscription, remark, " One produced two, two produced three, and three 
 \ produced all tilings." Three, therefore, is a perfect number; the same 
 I remark may apply to all odd numbers, as five, ^ seven, nine, as they 
 cannot be divided into two equal parts. There is something remarkable 
 in the words, that " Three produced all things, — does it convey an indis- 
 tinct idea of the Trinity ?" The Budhists, who are of modern date in China, 
 use the term, " The three Precious Ones," — the Deity that has ruled, the 
 ruling Deity, and the Deity that shall rule. The Taou Sect have also 
 their " Three Pure Ones." The number three has many other associations, 
 as *' The three Bonds," a Prince and minister, father and son, husband and 
 wife ; " The three Superintendents," the treasurer, judge, and collector of 
 customs ; and " The three Powers," Heaven, Earth, and Man, &c. 
 
ANCIENT CHINESE WINE VESSELS [b.c. 1496. 
 
 XLI. 
 
 This Vessel measured in height, eight Chinese inches ; its containing 
 depth was four inches and nine-tenths ; its circumference, at the neck, four 
 inches and three-tenths ; and round the centre, seven inches. It weighed 
 five Chinese pounds and nine ounces. At each side was attached a drop, 
 which answered the purpose of a handle, having the ancient character qO 
 Teen, " field, or land," on it. The device is considered ingenious and 
 chaste, and is much admired by the moderns. It is supposed that this 
 
B.C. 1496.] 
 
 OF THE SHANG DYNASTY. 
 
 61 
 
 Vessel, the only one of the pattern which appears to have been preserved, 
 was set apart for presenting thank-offerings for an abundant harvest. 
 
 This Vessel measured in height seven Chinese inches and eight-tenths ; 
 its containing depth six inches and seven-tenths ; its circumference at the 
 mouth four inches and five-tenths ; round the centre seven inches and six- 
 tenths. It weighed eight Chinese pounds and four ounces, having the 
 above inscription. The first character represents a person brandishing a 
 lance or spear in each hand. Spears were anciently, and are now, carried 
 in religious processions, and form a part of the furniture of the temple. 
 In antiquity, both civil and military officers of government, as well as 
 the people, were required to be expert in the use of the spear. From 
 among such as excelled in this exercise, it is said, kings were chosen, 
 and by it they retained possession of their state. It is recorded, that 
 in honour of the spear, a piece of sacred music was composed for the use 
 of the temple, and that this Vessel, which is supposed to have contained 
 sweet wine, was used on such occasions. The same authority remarks 
 
62 ANCIENT CHINESE WINE VESSELS. [b.c. 1496. | 
 
 that Ktvei, the last character of the inscription, here signifies ^1^ Paou, \ 
 
 " to recompense ;" and that as Ching-tang, the founder of this Dynasty. i 
 
 acquired the empire by the spear, it is thought that his son had this Vessel > 
 
 made in honour of him. I 
 
 Note. — While the preceding paper introduces the Reader to an acquaint- 
 ance with the ancient usages and rites of the Chinese, during their early 
 history, it cannot have escaped his notice, that the embellishments of 
 the Vessels, if not elegant, are always chaste, and, as it has been shown, 
 were admonitory. Regretting, as we must, their ignorance of God's Word, it 
 \ is pleasing, in the midst of great darkness, to see the happy effects of the 
 I correct principle oi filial duty, or reverence for parents — respect for the 
 elders of the same family — and for those who hold important situations. 
 This principle, or doctrine, was doubtless held by Fijh-he, and his imme- 
 diate descendants ; but Confucius embodied it, and caused it to he, as 
 they say, a Messing to ten thousand ages. We wonder not, therefore, 
 I that so many Vessels should have had the character Tsze, a "son," 
 \ and Sun, a "grandson," as well as the many significant devices by way 
 \ of ornament, nor the almost invariable attendant, the all-seeing eye, en- 
 
 \ graved on them, implying the inevitable consequences of impiety. 
 
 \ 
 
 \ We conclude our remarks with the following stanza from the She-king, 
 
 \ which is sung by boys, dressed as woodland Naiads, at the LBh-ming feast, 
 
 < a banquet given by the Governor of the province, attended by the high 
 
 \ oflicers, both civil and military, to those who obtain the literary Keu-jin 
 
 > degree, — 
 
 I " Hark ! to the cry of the bleating deer, 
 
 I While feeding on the desert herb ! 
 
 I Here we have honoured guests, 
 
 I Sound the drum, the harp, the reed, 
 
 I Blow the cheerful hwang, 
 
 = For here is a plenteous store. 
 
 I O ! ye men that love me, 
 
 \ Show me the great path of Vietxje !" 
 
 I Thoms' Chinese Cov.rtihip, page 161. 
 
 > 
 
OF THE SHANG DYNASTY, 
 
 63 
 
 A MIRROR OF THE TANG DYNASTY. 
 
 The above Diagram represents the reverse side of a polished steel mirror. 
 The centre represents the sun ; the four animals around it are four of 
 the Planets. The next circle contains the Pa-kwa, or Fuh-he's Eight 
 Diagrams, by which he and his followers attempt to account for all the 
 changes and transmutations which take place in nature. The outer circle 
 represents the twelve signs of the Chinese Zodiac, with their names, and 
 the time of their rising. 
 
PRINTED BY P. P. THOMS, 12, WARWICK SQIIAUK, NEWGATE STRKET. 
 
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