Lidded container with birds and floral scrolls

Detail of a pattern
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At A Glance

On View
  • Period

    early 8th century
  • Geography

    Probably Xi’an, Shaanxi province, China
  • Material

    Cast, hammered, and turned silver with chased and ring-punched decoration and mercury gilding
  • Dimension

    H x W: 12.3 x 7.1 cm (4 13/16 x 2 13/16 in)
  • Accession Number

    F1931.17a-b
  • EDAN ID

    edanmdm:fsg_F1931.17a-b

Object Details

  • Description

    Surface: gilded; areas of black oxidation; inside surface darkened.
    Decoration: in delicate line engraving, covering all outer surfaces.
  • Provenance

    To 1931
    Herbert J. Devine, New York to 1931 [1]
    From 1931
    Freer Gallery of Art, purchased from Herbert J. Devine, New York in 1931 [2]
    Notes:
    [1] Object file, undated folder sheet note.
    [2] See note 1. Also see Freer Gallery of Art Purchase List file, Collections Management Office.
  • Collection

    Freer Gallery of Art Collection
  • Exhibition History

    Center of the World: China and the Silk Road (October 14, 2017 - ongoing)
    Silk Road Exhibition (August 18 to December 25, 2011)
    Silk Road Luxuries from China (November 5, 2011 to January 3, 2016)
    Luxury Arts of the Silk Route Empires (May 9, 1993 to January 28, 2007)
    Chinese Art (February 18, 1983 to April 1, 1987)
    Chinese Art (March 15, 1982 to June 15, 1982)
    Chinese Art (January 1, 1963 to March 6, 1981)
    Chinese Bronze, Jade, Metalwork (March 1, 1957 to January 1, 1963)
    Centennial Exhibition, Galleries 14 and 15 (February 25, 1956 to March 1, 1957)
    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, Chinese Metalwork, Pottery, and Painting (March 23, 1944 to May 2, 1946)
    Untitled Exhibition, Ancient Chinese Art, 1943 (March 22, 1943 to November 17, 1944)
    Untitled Exhibition, Chinese Painting and Metalwork, 1943 (October 4, 1943 to March 23, 1944)
    Untitled Exhibition, Chinese Metalwork (March 14, 1931 to March 22, 1943)
    Stone Sculpture, Buddhist Bronze, and Chinese Painting (May 2, 1923 to February 25, 1956)
  • Previous custodian or owner

    Herbert J. Devine Galleries
  • Origin

    Probably Xi’an, Shaanxi province, China
  • Credit Line

    Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
  • Type

    Vessel
  • On View

    Freer Gallery 16: Center of the World: China and the Silk Road
  • Restrictions and Rights

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