Lei

Shang Dynasty, 1700 BC -1050 BC
City Museum, Luoyang

A prized object in the city museum is this Shang dynasty lei, that was found in a Western Zhou tomb. It is a richly decorated wine container, with a vase-like, four-sided body that is surmounted by a trapezoidal roof-like lid. The body is embellished with dragon-form handles, projecting animal heads, and hooked cloud motifs.