Duck-head-shaped vessels are commonly discovered in noble tombs of early and middle Western Zhou.They are found attached to a wooden handle,connected with a zun,a metal component.As for the functions of these duck-head-shaped vessels,they were previously assumed to be mao,ancient flags with yaks'tails,or wands,by the academic circle.However,the burial context of the duck-head-shaped vessels is not taken into account in relevant studies.The way the duck-head-shaped vessels are set shows that they were basically arranged with wine vessels.This is the most obvious in tombs with lacquered jin,an artifact designed to caution against excessive drinking.The duck-head-shaped vessels are found placed along with wine vessels on jin.Based upon these findings,it can be inferred that the duck-head-shaped vessels are related to wine drinking ceremonies,or guan li,an ancient Chinese ceremony during which wine was poured,served,or sacrificed.The specific use of the duck-head-shaped vessels in relevant ceremonial activities awaits further discussion.
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