Ritual grain server (gui) with dragons

Object Details

• Inscriptions

  Inscribed on the bottom of the interior by Zhilu X, 执旅 X (“Military officer X”)

• Provenance

  James Mellon Menzies (1885 –1957), Henan Province, China then Toronto, Canada [1]

  After 1928

  C. T. Loo & Company, Paris, France and New York, NY [2]

  By at least 1968

  Dr. Arthur M. Sackler, New York, NY likely purchased in New York, NY from either Frank Caro Chinese Art or J. T. Tai & Company [3]

  From 1987

  Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, gift from Dr. Arthur M. Sackler on September 11, 1987 [4]

  Notes:

  [1] See: See: Chen Mengjia, Yin Zhou qing tong qi fen lei tu lu. Dongjing: Ji gu shu wu, 1977, no. A196 (this publication is also known by it’s Japanese title, In Shū seidōki bunrui zuroku). James Mellon Menzies (1885–1957) was a missionary to China for the Presbyterian Church of Canada. In 1910, the church sent him to Henan Province, where he developed an intense interest in Chinese culture and antiquities. He amazed a large collection of oracle bones (many of which are now in the Royal Ontario Museum) and published widely on his collection. In 1932, he taught in the department of archeology at Qilu University, in Jinan, Shandong Province, China. At the university, he formed a museum of antiquities. He returned to Canada in 1936 and resided in Toronto. Chen Mengja notes that the vessel was owned by Menzies and Loo.

  [2] See note 1. See also photo negative in C. T. Loo & Frank Caro Archive, Musée Guimet, Paris, France. Negative labeled: “Kuei Early Chou, Dr. A. Sackler, (6) CNMB 96,” copy located in object file.

  Frank Caro, who started working for C. T. Loo in 1928 began photographing Loo’s stock. This photograph was likely taken by Caro after 1928.

  [3] See the earliest publication of this object that lists Dr. Arthur M. Sackler as the owner: Robert Poor, The Bronze Ritual Vessels of Ancient China, Series 1, Lecture 4 (New York: Intercultural Arts Press, 1968), 1-4-3.

  [4] Pursuant to the agreement between Dr. Arthur M. Sackler and the Smithsonian Institution, dated July 28, 1982, legal title of the donated objects was transferred to the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery on September 11, 1987.

• Collection

  Arthur M. Sackler Collection

• Exhibition History

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

  The Arts of China (November 18, 1990 to September 7, 2014)

  Chinese Bronzes from the Sackler Collection (November 19 to December 30, 1989)

  In Praise of Ancestors: Ritual Objects from China (September 28, 1987 to January 1, 1989)

• Previous custodian or owner

  James Mellon Menzies (1885-1957)

  C.T. Loo & Company (1914-1948)

  Dr. Arthur M. Sackler (1913-1987)

• Origin

  Anyang, probably Henan province, China

• Credit Line

  Gift of Arthur M. Sackler

• Type

  Vessel

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  BCE 1000s

• Name

  Sackler, Arthur M., Menzies, James Mellon, C.T. Loo & Company

• Place

  China, Henan province, Anyang

• Topic

  Bronze, Art, Sculpture, Chinese Art, Anyang period, Late Shang dynasty (ca. 1300 - 1050 BCE), Shang dynasty (ca. 1600 - ca. 1050 BCE), Metal-work

• Culture

  Chinese

• Object Type

  Vessels (containers)