Gu (vessel)

The gu (觚) is a type of ancient Chinese ritual bronze vessel used for holding alcoholic beverages, particularly during sacrificial ceremonies. It is characterized by its tall, slender form, consisting of a flaring trumpet-shaped mouth, a narrow central section (sometimes slightly bulbous), and a spreading foot. The gu typically lacks handles and a lid.

The gu first appeared during the Erlitou culture (c. 2100-1500 BCE) and continued to be used throughout the Shang (c. 1600-1046 BCE) and early Zhou (c. 1046-256 BCE) dynasties. During the Shang dynasty, the gu reached its peak in terms of both quantity and artistic elaboration. They were often decorated with intricate zoomorphic designs, including taotie masks and other mythical creatures.

The size and quality of a gu were often indicative of the social status of its owner. Larger, more elaborately decorated examples were likely owned by individuals of higher rank within the ancient Chinese society. The gu was typically used in conjunction with other bronze ritual vessels, such as the jue (爵), ding (鼎), and zun (尊), forming part of a set used for offering sacrifices to ancestors and deities. Over time, its use and production declined in the later Zhou dynasty.