Lidded ritual food server (dou) with dragon interlace

Detail of a pattern
Image 1 of 2
IIIF

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At A Glance

On View
  • Period

    ca. late 5th-early 4th century BCE
  • Geography

    China
  • Material

    Bronze with gold inlay
  • Dimension

    H x W x D: 15.2 x 18.8 x 14.1 cm (6 x 7 3/8 x 5 9/16 in)
  • Accession Number

    F1939.41a-b
  • EDAN ID

    edanmdm:fsg_F1939.41a-b

Object Details

  • Description

    Ceremonial covered vessel, type tou. Crusty green patina with design inlaid in gold, and two annular handles on opposite sides.
  • Previous custodian or owner

    C.T. Loo & Company (1914-1948)
  • Provenance

    From at least 1939
    C. T. Loo & Company, New York from at least January 1939 [1]
    From 1939
    Freer Gallery of Art, purchased from C. T. Loo & Company on July 6, 1939 [2]
    Notes:
    [1] The vessel was exhibited by Loo in January 1939, see C. T. Loo & Co., An Exhibition of Chinese Bronzes, exh. cat. (New York: C. T. Loo & Co., January 1939), cat. 32, pl. XVIII.
    See also Loo's stockcard no. 81579: "Food vessel and cover (tou). Highly conventionalized dragon motives in gold encircle the entire body with a leaf like decoration around the lip. Loop handles. The cover removes to form a bowl. Green patina. Late Chou Period. Height 6 in," C. T. Loo & Frank Caro Archive, Musée Guimet, Paris, copy in object file.
    [2] See C. T. Loo's invoice, dated July 6, 1939, copy in object file.
  • Origin

    China
  • Credit Line

    Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
  • Type

    Vessel
  • On View

    Freer Gallery 18: Art and Industry: China's Ancient Houma Foundry
  • Restrictions and Rights

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