Drum of Lingshan type

Object Details

• Description

  The drum is relatively large, measuring about 65 centimeters high and 118 centimeters across. Blue and green in color due to its corrosion products, the drum bears bands of low relief decoration which circle the sides. Six pairs of frogs are depicted, placed equilaterally around the rim. A modern carved wooden stand accompanies the drum.

• Provenance

  From at least 1964 to 1992

  Virginia (d. 1992) and Edward Chow (1910-80), Geneva, Switzerland. [1]

  From 1992 to 1994

  Estate of Virginia Chow. [2]

  1994

  Sotheby's, London sale on June 7, 1994, lot no. 12. [3]

  1994

  The Virginia and Edward Chow Foundation, Geneva, Switzerland, purchased at auction of Virginia Chow Estate, Sotheby’s, London, June 7, 1994, lot no. 12. [4]

  From 1994

  Freer Gallery of Art, gift of The Virginia and Edward Chow Foundation, Geneva, Switzerland. [5]

  Notes:

  [1] Curatorial Remark 4 in the object record. Also see letter from David D. Chow dated, October 22, 1994, copy in object file, Collections Management Office.

  [2] Curatorial Remark 4 in the object record. Also see memorandum dated May 12, 1994 and April 4, 1994, copies in object file, Collections Management Office. According to Thomas Lawton’s statement in the memorandum dated April 4, 1994, Virginia Chow inherited the collection after Edward Chow’s death. Virginia Chow passed away in 1992, and her estate was settled in 1994.

  [3] See note 2.

  [4] See note 2.

  [5] See note 2. Also see Freer Gallery of Art Purchase List after 1920 file, Collections Management Office.

• Collection

  Freer Gallery of Art Collection

• Exhibition History

  Virtue and Entertainment: Chinese Music in the Visual Arts (October 1, 2005 to May 29, 2006)

  Beyond the Legacy--Anniversary Acquisitions of the Freer Gallery of Art (October 11, 1998 to April 11, 1999)

• Previous custodian or owner

  Edward T. Chow (1910-1980)

  Virginia Chow

  Estate of Virginia Chow

  Sotheby's (London)

  The Virginia and Edward Chow Foundation

• Origin

  Guangxi province, China

• Credit Line

  Gift of the Chow Foundation in memory of Virgina and Edward Chow

• Type

  Musical Instrument

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  700s, 500s

• Name

  Chow, Edward T., Sotheby's (London), Chow, Virgina, Estate of Virginia Chow, The Virginia and Edward Chow Foundation

• Place

  Guangxi province, China

• Topic

  Period of Division (220 - 589), Frogs, Art, Animals, Chinese Art

• Culture

  Chinese

• Object Type

  Musical instruments