What was a zun used for in Shang and early Zhou ceremonies?

In the context of Shang and early Zhou ceremonies, the zun served as a vessel for containing wine. These bronze vessels were characterized by their ample interior volume and wide openings, which facilitated their use in ritual settings.1

During the Shang and early Zhou dynasties, bronze vessels were integral to theocratic governance and were primarily utilized in divinatory ceremonies for sacrificial offerings of wine, meat, and grain. These offerings were typically made to the spirits of clan ancestors, particularly those of the ruler and his family. While some vessels were created specifically for burial, the common inclusion of dedicatory inscriptions—such as the phrase "May sons and grandsons forever treasure and use it"—indicates that most were originally intended for use in temple sacrifices.2