Scabbard fitting

Object Details

• Description

  Scabbard fitting with arched profile, the center of the tapering trapezoidal fitting cast in low relief with an intricate openwork design of interlaced serpents with finely ribbed bodies, with two loops projecting from each side. With a mottled green patina and some encrustation.

• Provenance

  To 1946

  Mathias Komor, New York. [1]

  From 1946 to 2000

  Mr. Myron S. Falk, Jr. (1906-1992) and Mrs. Pauline Baerwald Falk (1910-2000), purchased from Mathias Komor, New York in 1946. [2]

  2001

  Christie's, New York sale, "The Falk Collection I, Important Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art," September 20, 2001, lot no. 177, “A Rare Reticulated Bronze Scabbard Fitting.” [3]

  From 2001

  Freer Gallery of Art, purchased at auction, Christie’s, New York, September 20, 2001, lot no. 177, through Jim Lally of J. J. Lally & Co. Oriental Art, New York. [4]

  [1] Object file, Collections Management Office.

  [2] See document dated September 20, 2001, copy in object file, Collections Management Office.

  [3] See note 1 and 2.

  [4] See note 1 and 2. Also see Freer Gallery of Art Purchase List after 1920 file, Collections Management Office.

• Collection

  Freer Gallery of Art Collection

• Exhibition History

  Traders and Raiders on China's Northern Frontier (November 19, 1995 to September 2, 1996)

  The Art of Eastern Chou, 772-221 B.C. (November 13 to December 15, 1962)

  Arts of the Chou Dynasty (February 21 to March 28, 1958)

  Art of Late Eastern Chou (1952)

• Previous custodian or owner

  Mathias Komor (1909-1984)

  Pauline Baerwald Falk (1910-2000)

  Myron S. Falk, Jr. (1906-1992)

  Christie's (New York)

  J.J. Lally & Co. Oriental Art (active 1986-2021)

• Origin

  Northeast China or Southeast Inner Mongolia

• Credit Line

  Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment

• Type

  Weapon and Armament

• Restrictions and Rights

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  BCE 0s

• Name

  Falk, Myron S., J.J. Lally & Co. Oriental Art, Christie's, New York, Falk, Pauline Baerwald, Komor, Mathias

• Place

  China

• Topic

  Bronze, Art, Sculpture, Chinese Art, Snakes, Metal-work

• Culture

  Chinese

• Object Type

  Weapons, Armor (protective wear)