The Xiangyou vessel, a cultural relic housed in the Shanxi Museum, is a bronze wine container.

The Xiangyou vessel is a masterful example of late Shang Dynasty bronze craftsmanship, featuring a striking design of two owls standing back to back. In ancient times, “xiao” was a collective term for birds such as owls, while “you” refers to a type of wine vessel—thus, the Xiangyou vessel can be interpreted as a “wine vessel shaped like an owl.”