A Chinese Archaic Bronze Hu Vessel – Warring State Period (475–221 BC) 战国青铜壶. A hu is a type of wine vessel that has a pear-shaped cross-section. Its body swells and flares into a narrow neck, creating S-shaped profile. Most Chinese bronze vessels fall into two categories, food vessels or wine vessels. Hu vessels were used for holding wine, but not as drinking vessels. Hu were an important part of religious and cultural rituals.