The zun is an ancient type of Chinese bronze or ceramic wine vessel with a round or square vase-like form; and sometimes in the shape of an animal.

The Zhou had long been vassals of the Shang; but eventually grew strong enough to defeat them in warfare in the 11th century BCE. They continued to hold sway until the 5th century BCE. Chinese boundaries were expanded; land reform was instituted and towns were built. Also; the declining years of the Zhou era produced two of China's most influential thinkers; Kongfuzi (Confucius) and Laozi (Lao Tzu).