The beast-shaped gray pottery gui, a drinking vessel of the Neolithic Age was excavated from Sanlihe ancient cultural site in Shandong Province in 1974. It is 21.5 cm high and 26 cm long.
With its beast-shaped head raised high, two ears cocked and mouth wide open its fat body is supported by short but strong legs. There is a cylindrical hole on its back for pouring wine into the vessel and a ringlike handle beside the hole decorated with sawtoothed designs not only for aesthetic consideration but also for the convenience of holding.
The beast-shaped gray pottery gui was designed for warming and serving wine in ancient times.
Shandong province is a coastal area where people live off of fishing.Since fishermen usually went to sea in winter they drank hot wine to ward off the cold. As a vessel for warming wine, the pottery gui was very important.
Famed as one of the most delicate potteries from the Sanlihe ancient cultural site, it is now treasured by the Historical Museum of China.
By Feng Hui
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