Ritual cauldron (li) with masks (taotie) and dragons

Detail of a pattern
Image 1 of 2
Download Image IIIF

Terms of Use

Usage Conditions Apply

At A Glance

  • Period

    ca. 1250-1200 BCE
  • Geography

    Anyang, probably Henan province, China
  • Material

    Bronze
  • Dimension

    H x W x D: 28.9 × 21.5 × 20.5 cm (11 3/8 × 8 7/16 × 8 1/16 in)
  • Accession Number

    S1987.64
  • EDAN ID

    edanmdm:fsg_S1987.64

Object Details

  • Provenance

    To 1977
    Kochukyo Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan [1]
    1977-1987
    The Arthur M. Sackler Foundation, purchased from Kochukyo Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan [2]
    From 1987
    Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, gift of the Arthur M. Sackler Foundation
    Notes:
    [1] See correspondences from Kochukyo Co., Ltd., copies in object file.
    [2] See note 1.
  • Collection

    Arthur M. Sackler Collection
  • Exhibition History

    Anyang: China's Ancient City of Kings (February 25, 2023 to April 28, 2024)
    In Praise of Ancestors: Ritual Objects from China (September 28, 1987 to January 1, 1989)
  • Previous custodian or owner

    Kochukyo Co. Ltd. 壺中居 (established 1924)
    Arthur M. Sackler Foundation (founded 1965)
  • Origin

    Anyang, probably Henan province, China
  • Credit Line

    Gift of The Arthur M. Sackler Foundation
  • Type

    Vessel
  • Restrictions and Rights

    Usage Conditions Apply

    There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page.

    The information presented on this website may be revised and updated at any time as ongoing research progresses or as otherwise warranted. Pending any such revisions and updates, information on this site may be incomplete or inaccurate or may contain typographical errors. Neither the Smithsonian nor its regents, officers, employees, or agents make any representations about the accuracy, reliability, completeness, or timeliness of the information on the site. Use this site and the information provided on it subject to your own judgment. The National Museum of Asian Art welcomes information that would augment or clarify the ownership history of objects in their collections.

Keep Exploring