"Guang" Clinking Cups - Shang Dynasty Bronze Guang

“Gong” & “Chou” Intertwined - Bronze “Gong” from the Shang Dynasty

Introducing the Shang Dynasty Bronze “Gong” and the origin of the idiom “Gong & Chou Intertwined” through the lens of an antique competition.

“Gong & Chou Intertwined” originated from a passage in the “Records of the Grand Historian - Biographies of the Jester”, describing the story of Chunyu Kun, a renowned scholar of the State of Qi during the Warring States Period, who advised King Wei of Qi at a banquet. Chunyu Kun used the occasion to subtly remind the king to refrain from indulgence and focus on governing the state well.

In this story, “Gong” refers to a wine vessel, while “Chou” represents the small sticks used in ancient banquets to keep track of drinking rounds or play drinking games. The original meaning of “Gong & Chou Intertwined” depicts a lively banquet scene where guests drink freely, using “Chou” for counting, creating a vibrant atmosphere. Over time, the idiom evolved to represent scenarios where friends gather, laughter fills the air, and the ambiance is warm and convivial. It also metaphorically signifies a situation with many intertwined, complex affairs.

This idiom vividly portrays the characteristics of ancient banquet culture, embodying a deep observation and critique of the societal phenomena of the time, revealing the wit and humor of the ancients.

“Gong” was prevalent from the late Shang Dynasty to the early Western Zhou Dynasty. It features an elliptical or square body with a circular foot or four legs. The lidded vessel is adorned with a horned animal head or a curled elephant head with a long trunk as the lid. Some “Gong” are sculpted in the shape of an animal, with the head and back forming the lid, the body as the vessel, and the four legs as the feet. Moreover, the decorative patterns on the “Gong” resemble those found on sacrificial vessels and bird and animal-shaped “You”, leading some to mistake them for animal-shaped “Zun”. However, unlike animal-shaped “Zun”, the “Gong” lid is designed with a beast head connected to the animal's spine, and the spout is shaped like the animal's neck, facilitating pouring.

It is known that the replicated model, a bronze concave “Gong”, is currently housed in the Freer Gallery of Art in the United States. The above information about the bronze “Gong” is based on my knowledge. If any errors exist, please point them out and correct them.