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

Object Details

• Provenance

  ?-1971

  Unidentified collector, method of acquisition unknown [1]

  1971

  Sale, New York, Parke-Bernet Galleries, Inc., “Chinese Works of Art: Early Dynastic Pottery & Porcelain, Ritual Bronzes, Chinese Ming & Ch’ing Porcelain” March 26, 1971, lot 7. [2]

  1971-1975

  J. T. Tai & Co., New York, purchased at March 26, 1971 Parke-Bernet Galleries, Inc. Sale, New York [3]

  1975-1987

  The Arthur M. Sackler Foundation, New York, purchased from J. T. Tai & Co., New York [4]

  From 1987

  Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, gift of The Arthur M. Sackler Foundation [5]

  Notes:

  [1] See note 2.

  [2] See Parke-Bernet Galleries, Inc., “Chinese Works of Art: Early Dynastic Pottery & Porcelain, Ritual Bronzes, Chinese Ming & Ch’ing Porcelain” [auction catalog] (New York: Parke-Bernet Galleries, Inc., March 26, 1971) lot 7. Identified as “Property of Various Owners,” the object is described as “Bronze Tripod Cauldron (Ting), Shang Dynasty.”

  [3] See object file for copy of J. T. Tai & Co. stock record for stock no. YT-5896, identified as a “Bronze Tripod Cauldron (Ting).” The stock record shows that Tai purchased the object at the March 26, 1971 Parke-Bernet Galleries, Inc. sale. J. T. Tai (1911-1992) was an incredibly important dealer in Chinese antiquities whose influence shaped American collections of Chinese art throughout the second half of the twentieth century. He began his career in China, and in early 1950 he emigrated to New York City with the help of C. T. Loo (1880-1957). Tai established himself as an independent dealer and opened a gallery on Madison Avenue by the autumn of 1950.

  [4] See note 2. The stock record shows that the object was sold to the Arthur M. Sackler Foundation on December 20, 1975. A typed note attached to the original record reads “Include this when making 1974 inventory [redacted] sold to Sackler Foundation in 1974. Ref. Lot #2.” Additionally, see object file for copy of J. T. Tai & Co. invoice to The Arthur M. Sackler Foundation, dated May 30, 1975, for stock no. YT-5896.

  [5] When the object was accessioned in 1987, ownership was mistakenly attributed to Dr. Arthur M. Sackler, not The Arthur M. Sackler Foundation. This clerical error was rectified on June 27, 1994, and a new Deed of Gift was signed on January 23, 1995. Dr. Arthur M. Sackler established The Arthur M. Sackler Foundation in 1965 to facilitate access to Arthur M. Sackler’s collections for academic study. Dr. Arthur M. Sackler was a physician, medical publisher, pharmaceutical marketer, and collector of Asian art.

  Research updated June 30, 2023

• Collection

  Arthur M. Sackler Collection

• Exhibition History

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

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

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

• Previous custodian or owner

  J. T. Tai & Co. (established in 1950)

  Arthur M. Sackler Foundation (founded 1965)

• Origin

  China

• Credit Line

  Gift of The Arthur M. Sackler Foundation

• Type

  Vessel

• Restrictions and Rights

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  BCE 1000s

• Name

  Arthur M. Sackler Foundation, J. T. Tai & Co.

• Place

  China

• Topic

  Bronze, Art, Cooking, 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)