Ritual wine container (hu) with masks (taotie) and dragons
Terms of Use
Creative CommonsAt A Glance
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Period
ca. 1200 BCE -
Geography
Anyang, probably Henan province, China -
Material
Bronze -
Dimension
H x W x D: 38.1 × 27.8 × 23 cm (15 × 10 15/16 × 9 1/16 in) -
Accession Number
F1948.1 -
EDAN ID
edanmdm:fsg_F1948.1
Object Details
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Description
Bronze ceremonial vessel, type hu [Ch]. Decoration cast in high and low relief in six registers. Silvery patination with green inscrustations. Shape ovoid in section with swelling body and slightly flaring mouth and foot. Handles in shape of bovine heads. -
Provenance
From 1947 to 1948C. T. Loo & Company, New York, from at least May 6, 1947 [1]From 1948Freer Gallery of Art, purchased from C. T. Loo & Company on June 21, 1948 [2]Notes:[1] See C. T. Loo's stockcard no. 87520: "Bronze ritual vessel large "HU" on a high oval rim foot. Silvery and rough green patina. SHANG," C. T. Loo & Frank Caro Archive, Musée Guimet, Paris, copy in object file. According to an annotation on the stockcard, the bronze was imported from China in 1947. On May 6, 1947, it was taken by Loo to the Freer Gallery for examination.[2] See C. T. Loo's invoice, dated June 21, 1948, copy in object file. -
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)Chinese Art (February 18, 1983 to April 1, 1987)Chinese Art (June 15, 1982 to September 24, 1982)Chinese Art (March 15, 1982 to June 15, 1982)Chinese Art (January 1, 1963 to March 6, 1981)Chinese Bronze, Jade, Marble (March 1, 1957 to January 1, 1963)Centennial Exhibition, Galleries 14 and 15 (February 25, 1956 to March 1, 1957)Untitled Exhibition, Ancient Chinese Jade and Bronze (August 26, 1955 to October 25, 1955)Untitled Exhibition, Ancient Chinese Art, 1955 (October 24, 1955 to February 25, 1956)Untitled Exhibition, Ancient Chinese Art, 1945 (January 9, 1945 to August 20, 1955) -
Previous custodian or owner
C.T. Loo & Company (1914-1948) -
Origin
Anyang, probably Henan province, China -
Credit Line
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment -
Type
Vessel -
Restrictions and Rights
CC0 - Creative Commons (CC0 1.0)
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