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Ritual wine container (fangyi) with masks (taotie) and dragons

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At A Glance

Period

ca. 1200 BCE
Geography

Anyang, probably Henan province, China
Material

Bronze
Dimension

H x W x D: 23 × 14.6 × 11.4 cm (9 1/16 × 5 3/4 × 4 1/2 in)
Accession Number

F1991.3a-c
EDAN ID

edanmdm:fsg_F1991.3a-c

Object Details

Description

The rectangular body is divided vertically down the middle of each of four sides with flanges, each side cast with a large taotie mask with borders above and below containing confronted dragons, one dragon on each side of the flanges. Those around the foot are above the arched openings. The cover is cast with taotie masks facing up. The knob is cast with taotie masks. There is an emblematic character on the inside bottom and one inside the cover; they are not identical. The vessel is covered with a green patina with red encrustations inside the lines of the design, possibly cinnabar.
Inscriptions

Inscribed in the lid and on the bottom of the interior, Lu 冉 (盧) (“Way Station Officer [responsible for the king’s travels]”); the two inscriptions include dedications to different ancestors, Gui and Yi
Provenance

From at least 1942 to ?

Huang Jun, Beijing. [1]

From ? to 1952

Robert Somerville, Chicago, Illinois. [2]

From 1952 to ?

James W. and Marilynn Alsdorf, Chicago, Illinois, purchased from Robert Somerville, Chicago, Illinois. [3]

From ? to 1991

Eskenazi Ltd, London, England. [4]

From 1991

Freer Gallery of Art, purchased from Eskenazi Ltd, London, England. [5]

Notes:

[1] According to document dated August 28, 1990, the bronze was published by Huang Jun in “Yehzhong pianyu,” 1942, vol. 3, plate 22. Huang was a connoisseur and collector in Beijing, and this volume reportedly illustrated bronzed that came from the Anyang excavations possibly in the 1930s. See memorandum dated Aug. 28, 1990, copy in object file, Collections Management Office.

[2] According to Eskenazi, Ltd, Jim Alsdorf acquired the object from Robert Somerville in April 9, 1952. See invoice from Eskenazi dated, Feb 21, 1991, copy in object file, Collections Management Office. See also receipt of payment from Robert Somerville to J.W. Alsdorf dated April 9, 1952, copy in object file, Collections Management Office.

[3] See note 2.

[4] Freer Gallery of Art Purchase List after 1920 file, Collections Management Office.

[5] See note 4.
Collection

Freer Gallery of Art Collection
Exhibition History

Anyang: China's Ancient City of Kings (February 25, 2023 to April 28, 2024)

Clay and Metal: Ancient Chinese Ceramics and Metal (February 25, 1997 to August 9, 2011)

Ancient Chinese Bronzes (May 9, 1993 to February 10, 1997)

Chinese Art from the Collection of James W. and Marilyn Alsdorf (September 21 to November 13, 1970)
Previous custodian or owner

Huang Jun 黃濬 (1888-1944)

Robert Somerville

Marilynn Alsdorf (born 1926)

Eskenazi Ltd. (Founded 1923)
Origin

Anyang, probably Henan province, China
Credit Line

Purchase — funds provided by Mr. T. T. Tsui, Hong Kong and the Smithsonian Collections Acquisition Program
Type

Vessel
Restrictions and Rights

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