Four-tier tube (cong 琮) with mask, eyes rubbed away

Object Details

• Description

  Square, slightly tapering prism of brownish buff nephrite. Drilled longitudinally from both ends leaving a smooth ridge in the middle. Carved patterns, consisting of a regular sequence, in four tiers, of horizontal grooves and ledges.

• Provenance

  From at least 1967 to 1968

  Eugene Meyer (1875-1959) and Agnes E. Meyer (1887-1970), Washington, DC and Mt. Kisco, NY, from at least July 24, 1967 [1]

  From 1968

  Freer Gallery of Art, given by Agnes E. Meyer in 1968 [2]

  Notes:

  [1] The object is included in Agnes E. Meyer’s Deed of Gift, listed as no. 22 in the document’s Annex, dated July 24, 1967, copy in object file.

  [2] See Agnes E. Meyer’s Deed of Gift, cited in note 1.

• Collection

  Freer Gallery of Art Collection

• Exhibition History

  Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer Memorial Exhibition (September 25, 1971 to October 2, 1972)

  Chinese Art (January 1, 1963 to March 6, 1981)

• Previous custodian or owner

  Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer ((1875-1959) and (1887-1970))

• Origin

  Lake Tai region, China

• Culture

  Liangzhu culture, ca. 3300-ca. 2250 BCE

• Credit Line

  Gift of Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer

• Type

  Ceremonial Object

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  BCE 2000s, BCE 3000s

• Name

  Meyer, Eugene and Agnes E.

• Place

  Lake Tai region, China

• Topic

  Art, Late Neolithic period (ca. 5000 - ca. 1700 BCE), Chinese Art, Nephrite, Jade

• Culture

  Chinese, Liangzhu culture

• Object Type

  Ceremonial objects