Page 77 - Deydier UNDERSTANDING CHINESE ARCHAIC BRONZES

Shao 勺, dou 斗, bi 匕

a - Ladle dou

b - Ladle bi

Called either a shao 勺, dou 斗 or bi 匕, this ladle was used to ladle
out liquids and sometimes food from vessels. Generally this type of
ladle resembles a tobacco pipe consisting of a long handle at the end of
which is attached a small cup-like receptacle, the exception being the
bi 匕, which looks more like a spoon. Very popular during the Shang 商
dynasty (circa 1600 – 1100 B.C.), these ladles are often found together
with vessels such as jia 斝, jue 爵, gong 觥, zun 尊, you 卣, yu 盂, and
jian 鑒.

Such ladles undergo some important changes during the Warring
States 戰國 period (circa 475 - 221 B.C.) when a ring foot is attached to
the cup-like part of the ladle to support it.

Of all the three types of ladles used to ladle out liquids or food, only the
bi 匕 has a rather flat receptacle on the end of its handle, similar to the
end of a shallow European spoon, but more flat. This type of ladle was
common during both the Western Zhou 西周 and Eastern Zhou 東周
dynasties.

th
th
Ritual bronze ladle dou, early Western Zhou dynasty (circa 11 – 10 centuries B.C.)
Length : 22.6 cm – Meiyintang Collection n° 34
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