Pitch-pot
![Detail of a pattern](https://asia.si.edu/wp-content/themes/custom/nmaa/nmaa-frontend/public/images/hero-bkgrnd-desktop.jpg)
Terms of Use
Creative CommonsAt A Glance
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Period
1368-1644 -
Geography
China -
Material
Bronze -
Dimension
H x W: 55.4 x 24.1 cm (21 13/16 x 9 1/2 in) -
Accession Number
F1911.67 -
EDAN ID
edanmdm:fsg_F1911.67
Object Details
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Description
Hexagonal vessel (with two of the sides wider than the other four, thus providing a front/back-and-sides orientation), tapering slightly towards the top opening, with a pronounced angular bulge around the vessel about one-third from the bottom, and four tall, hexagonal, open-end projections at the top. The entire vessel sits on a high double hexagonal base. Poorly cast in one piece.Surface: green patina with heavy incrustations of lighter green and orange-colored earth.Decoration: Each of the six panels on the tubular section of the vessel is decorated with a miniature arrow-holder in relief, with the front one holding the greatest number of arrows. Four of these panels bear a two-character inscription above the arrow-holder; they read: ???, "huang-hu" [Chn], "kuan-erh" [Chn], and ? erh [Chn]. Two rows of stylized lotus petals ornament the juncture of the tube and the large projection. On the latter, each of the six panels is decorated with a creature in relief: a "ch'i-lin" and a phoenix on the front and back, two lioins and two stags on the sides. The four projections around the mouth of the vessel have a "lei-wan" background on their panels, and a human figure in relief on the front panel of the front and back projections. Incised floral design on the remaining surfaces. The base simulates a balustrade by means of the shape of its openwork panels. -
Provenance
To 1911Pong, Beijing, to 1911 [1]From 1911 to 1919Charles Lang Freer (1854-1919), purchased from Pong in 1911 [2]From 1920Freer Gallery of Art, gift of Charles Lang Freer in 1920 [3]Notes:[1] See Original Bronze List, S.I. 222, Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Archives.[2] See note 1.[3] The original deed of Charles Lang Freer's gift was signed in 1906. The collection was received in 1920 upon the completion of the Freer Gallery. -
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art Collection -
Previous custodian or owner
Pong (C.L. Freer source)Charles Lang Freer (1854-1919) -
Origin
China -
Credit Line
Gift of Charles Lang Freer -
Type
Vessel -
Restrictions and Rights
CC0 - Creative Commons (CC0 1.0)
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