Ritual food cauldron (ding) with masks

Historical period(s)
middle Anyang period, Late Shang dynasty, ca. 12th century BCE
Medium
Bronze
Dimensions
H x W x D: 24.5 x 20.1 x 18.6 cm (9 5/8 x 7 15/16 x 7 5/16 in)
Geography
China, Henan province, Anyang
Credit Line
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art
Accession Number
F1960.18
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Metalwork, Vessel
Type

Ritual vessel: ding

Keywords
Anyang period (ca. 1300 - ca. 1050 BCE), casting, China, WWII-era provenance
Provenance

To 1960
J. T. Tai & Co., New York, New York. [1]

From 1960
Freer Gallery of Art, purchased from J. T. Tai & Co., New York, New York. [2]

Notes:

[1] See object file, Collections Management Office.

[2] See note 1.

Previous Owner(s)

J.T. Tai & Co. established in 1950

Published References
  • Shang Chou chin wen shi ch'eng. Multi-volume, Taipei. no. 0132.
  • Hai wai i chen [Chinese Art in Overseas Collections]. Taipei, 1985. vol. 2: p. 5.
  • Chugoku bijutsu [Chinese Art in Western Collections]. 5 vols., Tokyo, 1972-1973. vol. 4: fig. 13.
  • Chin wen tsung chi. Taipei. vol. 1: p. 48.
  • Eileen M. Berry. Heritage Studies 6: To Know the Past., 2nd edition. Greenville, SC. p. 101.
  • Dr. John Alexander Pope, Rutherford John Gettens, James Cahill, Noel Barnard. The Freer Chinese Bronzes. Oriental Studies Series, vol. 1, no. 7 Washington. cat. 28, p. 161.
Collection Area(s)
Chinese Art
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
SI Usage Statement

Usage Conditions Apply

There are restrictions for re-using this image. 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 Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery welcome information that would augment or clarify the ownership history of objects in their collections.

citation | Save this image How to download an image | Request Permission | Terms of Use