Spouted vessel (he) in the form of an elephant with masks (taotie), dragons, and snakes

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3D Model

Object Details

Description

Ceremonial covered vessel, type huo, in the form of an elephant. Wooden stand. Surface: a light green patina. Decoration: cast in low relief; final in the round.

Provenance

To 1936

Yamanaka and Company, Boston. [1]

From 1936

Freer Gallery of Art, purchased from Yamanaka and Company, Boston. [2]

Notes:

[1] Curatorial Remark 1 in the object record.

[2] See note 1.

Collection

Freer Gallery of Art Collection

Exhibition History

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

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)

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

Chinese Bronze, Jade, Marble (March 1, 1957 to January 1, 1963)

Centennial Exhibition, Galleries 14 and 15 (February 25, 1956 to March 1, 1957)

Untitled Exhibition, Ancient Chinese Art, 1955 (October 24, 1955 to February 25, 1956)

Untitled Exhibition, Ancient Chinese Jade and Bronze (August 26, 1955 to October 25, 1955)

Untitled Exhibition, Ancient Chinese Art, 1945 (January 9, 1945 to August 20, 1955)

Untitled Exhibition, Ancient Chinese Art, 1944 (December 13, 1944 to May 7, 1946)

Untitled Exhibition, Chinese Metalwork, 1943 (March 22, 1943 to December 13, 1944)

Untitled Exhibition, Chinese Metalwork (March 14, 1931 to March 22, 1943)

Previous custodian or owner

Yamanaka and Co. 山中商会 (1917-1965)

Credit Line

Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment

Date

ca. 1100 BCE

Period

Late Shang dynasty, late Anyang period

Accession Number

F1936.6a-b

Restrictions & Rights

Usage conditions apply

Type

Vessel

Medium

Bronze

Dimensions

H x W x D (overall): 17.2 x 10.7 x 21.4 cm (6 3/4 x 4 3/16 x 8 7/16 in)

Origin

Anyang, probably Henan province, China

Related Online Resources

Google Arts & Culture

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National Museum of Asian Art

Data Source

National Museum of Asian Art

Topic

casting

metal

bronze

dragon

elephant

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

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

wine

mask

China

Chinese Art

Metadata Usage