Food Vessel with Ox Heads (Jing Gui) (Translation)
敬簋 西周晚期 (Primary Title)
((not entered))
Unknown (Artist)
Endowed with two ox-head handles, this bronze has on its interior bottom a sixty-four-character inscription (a rubbing of which is pictured at right) that documents the royal appointment of an official named Jing and the ensuing gifts from the king. Among the gifts are a court garment, horse bells, and a banner. This vessel was commissioned by Jing in memory of the event. Cast in the seal style, the inscription reads vertically from right to left. Ancient Chinese thought the bronze was durable enough for the inscription to be perpetually preserved.
Western Zhou dynasty (1046-771 BC)
66 characters in eight lines, cast in center of interior vessel: 唯王十月歲, 咸丁亥。 王客（格）大室，既立（位）。 宰頵右敬入門， 既立中廷。 北鄉。 史帶受王命書。 王乎（呼）史洛冊，易（賜）敬赤市、冋衣、匆（悤）黃、䜌、旂。 用事。 敢對揚王休。 用作尊彝。 敬其萬年永寶用。 (In the King's tenth month, dinghai day, the King arrived at the Grand Hall and assumed his position. Minister Jun accompanying Jing on the right-hand side, entered the gate and stood in the center of the courtyard, facing north. Scribe Dai received the King's edict. The King ordered Scribe Luo to read aloud the official command: "I award Jing red kneepads, a linen robe, a green pendant, tickling bells, and a banner. Use them in service!” Jing dares in response to extoll the King’s beneficence, herewith making this ritual wine vessel. May Jing for ten thousand years eternally treasure and use it.)
Adolph D. and Wilkins C. Williams Fund
Image released via Creative Commons CC-BY-NC
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