Ancient Chinese families made much of their forebears because ancestors were believed to watch over the welfare of their descendants. The living constantly had to inform them of family events and to provide them with food and drink at shrines near the ancestral graves.

Wine Vessel, 15th-14th century BC.

This massive wine vessel, which stands 21 inches high and weighs over 112 lbs., is truly a splendid object, taut with contained energy. Wine vessels like this one were probably placed on an altar in one of these shrines and then later buried as family heirlooms.