Lidded ritual food server (dou) with dragon interlace

Terms of Use
Usage Conditions ApplyAt A Glance
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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
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Description
Ceremonial covered vessel, type tou. Crusty green patina with design inlaid in gold, and two annular handles on opposite sides. -
Provenance
From at least 1939C. T. Loo & Company, New York from at least January 1939 [1]From 1939Freer 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. -
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art Collection -
Exhibition History
Art and Industry: China’s Houma Foundry (October 14, 2017 - ongoing)Clay and Metal: Ancient Chinese Ceramics and Metal (February 25, 1997 to August 9, 2011)Chinese Metalwork (May 9, 1993 to March 21, 1997)Chinese Art (February 18, 1983 to April 1, 1987)Chinese Art (March 15, 1982 to June 15, 1982)Chinese Art of the Warring States Period: Change and Community, 480-222 B.C. (September 30, 1982 to February 17, 1983)Chinese Art (March 9, 1981 to March 12, 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 Art, 1944 (November 15, 1944 to May 6, 1946)Untitled Exhibition, Ancient Chinese Art, 1943 (March 22, 1943 to November 17, 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
C.T. Loo & Company (1914-1948) -
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
Usage Conditions Apply
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