Ritual wine warmer (jia) with masks (taotie)

Object Details

• Description

  Ceremonial vessel of the type "jia." Smooth, dark green patina. Tip of one leg broken off. Inscription of one character inside bottom.

• Inscriptions

  Inscribed on the bottom of the interior, Wu 戊 (“[Ancestor] Wu”).

• Label

  Faulty molding or casting occasionally resulted in containers whose walls are too thin or legs are incomplete, as happened in this tall container.

• 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 (January 1, 1963 to March 6, 1981)

  Special Exhibition—Chinese Bronzes (November 1, 1961 to March 23, 1962)

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

  Untitled Exhibition, Chinese Art, 1955 (August 26, 1955 to October 25, 1955)

  Untitled Exhibition, Ancient Chinese Art, 1946 (May 7, 1946 to February 25, 1956)

  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)

  Chinese Jades and Bronze, East Corridor (November 19, 1923 to March 14, 1931)

• Origin

  Anyang, probably Henan province, China

• Credit Line

  Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment

• Type

  Vessel

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  BCE 1000s

• Place

  China, Henan province, Anyang

• Topic

  Bronze, Wine and wine making, Art, Inscriptions, Sculpture, Chinese Art, Anyang period, Late Shang dynasty (ca. 1300 - 1050 BCE), Taotie, Masks, Metal-work

• Culture

  Chinese

• Object Type

  Vessels (containers)