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Ritual wine ewer (gong) in the form of a tiger, owl, and water bird

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At A Glance

Period

ca. 1300-1200 BCE
Geography

Anyang, probably Henan province, China
Material

Bronze
Dimension

H x W x D: 23.5 × 31.4 × 11.6 cm (9 1/4 × 12 3/8 × 4 9/16 in)
Accession Number

F1938.5a-b
EDAN ID

edanmdm:fsg_F1938.5a-b

Object Details

Description

Ceremonial covered vessel, type kuang. Smooth, soft green patina with scattered incrustations outside and in; criss-cross mold-impression on the bottom; cast inscription of 2 characters inside cover and vessel.
Inscriptions

1. (From original folder sheet note 3) (J.E.L., 1938) [misnumbered as 2 in original folder sheet] The first of the two characters in the inscription represents a building; the second, an axe-head. The same characters, but in reverse order, appear in an inscription reproduced by [chn] in his Chen sung t'ang chi ku i wen (Vol. IV, p. 34 verso), where he describes them respectively as a [chn] ch'ung wu and a [chn] fu. The latter term simply means "axe"; but ch'ung wu, ---- literally "double house," --- is, perhaps less definite, although the form of the ideograph certainly suggests "two-storied house" as a probable meaning (see, however, Biot, Le Tcheou-li, Tome II, p. 559, paragraph 29 and notes). In any case, the Chou Li ([chn], p. 47, recto; and cf., Biot, loc.cit.) says that the people of [chn] Yin built such houses, ---- though whether the statement can have any bearing on the dating of our Kuang seems at best doubtful.
Label

A metamorphic fantasy, this vessel combines actual and mythical animals. A long-necked water bird forms the handle, but its tail morphs into the neck and chest of a tiger. Its wings and feet can also combine with an owl’s head. Five pairs of dragons are loosely drawn in narrow bands.
Provenance

From at least 1937 to 1938

C. T. Loo & Company, Paris and New York from at least August 30, 1937 [1]

From 1938

Freer Gallery of Art, purchased from C. T. Loo & Company, New York on February 4, 1938 [2]

Notes:

[1] See "List of objects owned by C. T. Loo & Co., New York [and sent to] the Gallery for examination," copy in object file. According to an annotation on the list, the vessel was received from Paris on August 30, 1937.

[2] See C. T. Loo's invoice, dated January 17, 1938, with an annotation that it was passed for payment on February 4, 1938. The invoice was issued by C. T. Loo's New York gallery.
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)

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 Jade and Bronze (August 26, 1955 to October 25, 1955)

Untitled Exhibition, Ancient Chinese Art, 1955 (October 24, 1955 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)
Previous custodian or owner

C.T. Loo & Company (1914-1948)
Origin

Anyang, probably Henan province, China
Credit Line

Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Type

Vessel
Restrictions and Rights

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