In August we
visited the "Dumbarton Oaks Museum." This is one in a series of blogs
to highlight some artifacts we found interesting at the museum. In this
blog we'll introduce you to something that ties together China, Owls and Wine! All three of those things combined make an owl-shaped wine bronze vessel!
WHY AN OWL - Animal motifs were widely used in early Chinese art, showing significant cultural influence of the Northern Steppes. The symbol of the owl has its roots in ancient mysteries, but it also a symbol in reverence to ancestors.
WHEN IS IT? It was created in the 11th to 10th century BC in the Zhou Dynasty. Lasting from the 11th century BC to 771 BC, the Western Zhou Dynasty was established by King Wu and was the longest-lasting of China's dynasties.
NEXT: The Mystery of the Central American Transforming Figures