Miniature tripod vessel (li-ting)

Detail of a pattern
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At A Glance

  • Period

    11th-3rd century BCE
  • Geography

    China
  • Material

    Unglazed earthenware
  • Dimension

    H x W x D: 6.3 x 8 x 8 cm (2 1/2 x 3 1/8 x 3 1/8 in)
  • Accession Number

    F1984.21
  • EDAN ID

    edanmdm:fsg_F1984.21

Object Details

  • Description

    Miniature gray pottery li-ting. Hand-formed body with three short mammiform legs. Abruptly everted rim finished on turntable or slow wheel shows marks or throwing.
    Clay: earthenware, light gray on surface. Adhesions of earth.
    Decoration: deep horizontal grooves incised around midpoint of body and on neck just below angle of rim.
  • Provenance

    To 1982
    Helen Dalling Ling (d. 1982), Shanghai and Singapore. [1]
    From 1982 to 1984
    Dr. Tien Gi Ling, Singapore, by bequest from his wife, Helen Dalling Ling in May 1982. [2]
    From 1984
    Freer Gallery of Art, purchased from Dr. Tien Gi Ling, Singapore. [3]
    Notes:
    [1] According to Dr. Tien Gi Ling, this object was in Mrs. Helen D. Ling’s general collection and was probably acquired in Singapore. Also see Curatorial Remark 3 in the object record.
    [2] Helen Dalling Ling left a bequest to her husband, Dr. Tien Gi Ling on May 1982.
    [3] Freer Gallery of Art Purchase List after 1920 file, Collections Management Office.
  • Collection

    Freer Gallery of Art Collection
  • Previous custodian or owner

    Helen D. Ling (1901-1982)
    Mr. Tien Gi Ling
  • Origin

    China
  • Credit Line

    Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
  • Type

    Vessel
  • Restrictions and Rights

    Usage Conditions Apply

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