Ritual wine ewer (gong) with masks (taotie), dragons, and real animals

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3D Model

Object Details

Description

Ewer with design that incorporates many stylized birds and animals. No inscription.

Marks

Stickers and painted inscription on bottom of lid read:

"K./No 266" (white sticker with red border)

"266" (round white sticker with black ink)

Written in red ink on bottom of lid:

"L.1707.B"

Written in red ink on bottom of body"

Label

This extraordinary vessel bristles with life, from the birds at the front and on the handles, to the humans wrapped in snakes on the back legs. Most likely made in southern China, it seems to offer a view of a spirit world in constant movement and flux.

Provenance

From at least 1926 to 1961

Eugene Meyer (1875-1959) and Agnes E. Meyer (1887-1970), Washington, DC, and Mt. Kisco, NY, from at least 1926 [1]

From 1961

Freer Gallery of Art, gift of Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer in 1961 [2]

Notes:

[1] See H. d'Ardenne de Tizac, L'Art Chinois Classique (Paris: Henri Laurens, 1926), p. 25, pls. 6-7.

[2] See Agnes Meyer's Deed of Gift, dated December 21, 1961, copy in object file.

Collection

Freer Gallery of Art Collection

Exhibition History

Anyang: China's Ancient City of Kings (February 25, 2023 to April 28, 2024)

Ancient Chinese Jades and Bronzes (November 20, 2010 to January 3, 2016)

Ancient Chinese Bronzes (May 9, 1993 to February 10, 1997)

Chinese Art (February 18, 1983 to April 1, 1987)

Chinese Art (June 15, 1982 to September 24, 1982)

Chinese Art (March 15, 1982 to June 15, 1982)

Chinese Art (March 9, 1981 to March 12, 1982)

Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer Memorial Exhibition (September 25, 1971 to October 2, 1972)

Chinese Art (January 1, 1963 to March 6, 1981)

Ausstellung Chinesischer Kunst (January 12 to April 2, 1929)

Previous custodian or owner

Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer

Credit Line

Gift of Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer

Date

ca. 1100-1050 BCE

Period

Probably late Shang dynasty, late Anyang period

Accession Number

F1961.33a-b

Restrictions & Rights

CC0

Type

Vessel

Medium

Bronze

Dimensions

H x W x D: 32.2 × 32.2 × 15.7 cm (12 11/16 × 12 11/16 × 6 3/16 in)

Origin

China

Related Online Resources

Google Arts & Culture

See more items in

National Museum of Asian Art

Data Source

National Museum of Asian Art

Topic

casting

metal

bronze

animal

Shang dynasty (ca. 1600 - ca. 1050 BCE)

Anyang period, Late Shang dynasty (ca. 1300 - 1050 BCE)

wine