Lei wine vessel, late 4th century BCE, 9 11/16 × 12 5/16 × 11 5/8 (di., belly) in., lb. ( × × (di., belly) cm, 6 kg), Bronze with gold, silver and copper inlay, China, 4th century BCE, This wine vessel is one of the most splendid examples of Eastern Zhou bronze art and technique. It is decorated with a geometric, brocade-like pattern of gold, silver, and copper inlay—actually, extremely stylized depictions of dragons and birds. As religious beliefs changed, ritual bronzes became more secular in use and decoration during the Eastern Zhou period.

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Photo credit: © Penta Springs / Alamy / Afripics
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