The vessel on the upper left is decorated with the form of an owl. Its head is directly underneath the spout; its wings, which extend on either side of its body, are each composed of a coiled serpent. Other fantastical beasts appear around the body of the vessel. Feline-like dragons rear up behind the bird’s tail. Even the handle takes the shape of a bird with a hooked beak.

Now look at the front of this case, at the spouted vessel with the turquoise inlaid lid. Seen in profile, it clearly represents some kind of fanciful animal. You can see bulging eyes, bared teeth, snail-like horns, and a curving tail reminiscent of a serpent. When hot wine was served in this vessel, steam rose from the creature’s slightly open mouth, and it appeared to be exhaling vaporous smoke.

These bronzes are from the Shang dynasty, which lasted from about 1600 to about 1100 BC. Such vessels, which were decorated with abstract animal motifs and complex geometric patterns, served as containers for offerings of food and wine. They played a central role in the rituals that sanctified the power of the ruling aristocracy.