Basin (jian) with dragon interlace

Detail of a pattern
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At A Glance

On View
  • Period

    ca. 500-450 BCE
  • Geography

    Huixian, Henan province, China
  • Material

    Bronze
  • Dimension

    H x W: 22.8 x 51.7 cm (9 x 20 3/8 in)
  • Accession Number

    F1939.5
  • EDAN ID

    edanmdm:fsg_F1939.5

Object Details

  • Description

    Li-yu type.
  • Provenance

    1938
    Excavated in Huixian, Henan province, China in 1938 [1]
    From 1938 to 1939
    C. T. Loo & Company, New York from at least December 30, 1938 [2]
    From 1939
    Freer Gallery of Art, purchased from C. T. Loo & Company on February 3, 1939 [3]
    Notes:
    [1] According to Rong Geng, Shang Zhou yiqi tongkao (Beijing: Harvard-Yenching Institute, 1941), vol. 1, p. 470 and vol. 2, pl. 874.
    [2] See "List of the objects owned by C. T. Loo, New York [and left by him] at the Gallery for examination on December 30, 1938," copy in object file.
    [3] See C. T. Loo's invoice, dated February 3, 1939, copy in object file. The object is dated in the invoice to late Chou dynasty, 5th century B.C.
  • 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, Ancient Chinese Jade and Bronze (August 26, 1955 to October 25, 1955)
    Special Exhibition, Chinese Art, 1946 (August 7, 1946 to January 7, 1947)
    Untitled Exhibition, Ancient Chinese Art, 1946 (May 7, 1946 to February 25, 1956)
    Untitled Exhibition, Ancient Chinese Art, 1944 (December 13, 1944 to May 7, 1946)
    Untitled Exhibition, Chinese Art, 1944 (November 15, 1944 to May 6, 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

    Huixian, Henan province, 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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