Owl

Object Details

• Description

  A horned owl is depicted quite realistically except for the volute and triangle design decor on the wings. (Many chips/discrepancies in uniformity [ancient?]; deteriorated veins filled with soil and spots of cinnabar.)

  (Jenny F. So, October 18, 1996) A standing horned owl is carved and decorated on both sides. Its wings hug the body tightly to form a taut columnar shape. Claws are seen in the front, and the back is decorated to show wings and tail. Double incised volutes and curls follow the bird's wings and body descriptively. Turquoise, surface deteriorated and filled with earthy remains; carved.

• Provenance

  To 1959

  Abel William Bahr (1877-1959), Shanghai, China, London, England, Montreal, Canada, New York, NY, and Ridgefield, Connecticut

  [1]

  From 1963 to 1987

  Dr. Arthur M. Sackler, New York, purchased from the Bahr Collection in 1963 [2]

  From 1987

  Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, gift of Dr. Arthur M. Sackler on September 11, 1987 [3]

  Notes:

  [1] According to information provided by the Arthur M. Sackler Foundation, October 9, 2009.

  [2] See #344:

  "Turquoise standing owl," on list provided by the Arthur M. Sackler Foundation, October 9, 2009, copy in object file.

  [3] 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)

  Chinese Jade Animals (April 19 to July 14, 1996)

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

  Ancient Chinese Bronzes and Jades (October 1, 1989 - September 10, 1990)

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

• Previous custodian or owner

  Abel William Bahr (1877-1959)

  Dr. Arthur M. Sackler (1913-1987)

• Origin

  Anyang, probably Henan province, China

• Credit Line

  Gift of Arthur M. Sackler

• Type

  Sculpture

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  BCE 1000s

• Name

  Sackler, Arthur M., Bahr, Abel William

• Place

  China, Henan province, Anyang

• Topic

  Art, Animals, Owl, Chinese Art, Anyang period, Late Shang dynasty (ca. 1300 - 1050 BCE), Birds

• Culture

  Chinese

• Object Type

  Sculpture