China, Shaanxi province, around 10th century BC

Bronze, height 22cm

2012-00391

Made almost 3000 years ago, this gui is a ritual food vessel that was used during important ceremonies dedicated to the gods and ancestors.

Its shape and decoration represent many things. The circular bowl rising and square platform may have symbolised heaven (round, above) and earth (square, below) in ancient Chinese culture. Notice the patterns on the body: near the centre of the bowl they make up the face of a mythical protective beast called a “taotie”, with two raised bumps serving as its eyes.

Taotie were often used to decorate ancient Chinese bronze objects, which come in a variety of shapes and were also used to hold grains or liquids, such as wine. Some are decorated with among the oldest examples of writing in China!

Take a closer look at this vessel and other Chinese bronzes in our Scholars Gallery on Level 2.

Probably Syria, 8th century

Bronze, height 34.7cm

2014-00479

In Islamic culture, ewers are used to store water for drinking or for washing before prayers. This tall ewer has a round body with lotus bud designs carved near the top that continue along the neck. A thumbpiece (where the thumb is placed to better grip the handle) at the top of the handle almost mirrors the shape of the vessel. This shape is similar to glass bottles used during the time of the Byzantine Empire (also known as the Eastern Roman Empire).

Imagine yourself holding it with one hand on the handle and one on the body, pouring water out. You can find the ewer in our Islamic Art Gallery on Level 2.

Yogyakarta, Java, around 1960

Bronze, Wood, length 84cm

2000-08162

Apart from vessels, bronze was also used to make musical instruments such as cymbals, bells, and gamelan instruments (a form of traditional Indonesian percussion). This gamelan instrument has flat keys made of bronze, while the main body is made of lacquered and painted wood.

The term “gamelan” refers to hitting bronze instruments such as gongs and drums with beaters. Gamelan music is usually played to accompany traditional theatre performances. In an ensemble, bronze instruments like this one play the main melody and are accompanied by softer wind, wood, and string instruments.

Watch this video to learn more about the gamelan!