Object Details
- Description
- Ewer with design that incorporates many stylized birds and animals. No inscription.
- Marks
- Stickers and painted inscription on bottom of lid read:
- "K./No 266" (white sticker with red border)
- "266" (round white sticker with black ink)
- Written in red ink on bottom of lid:
- "L.1707.B"
- Written in red ink on bottom of body"
- Written in red ink on bottom of body"
- Label
- This extraordinary vessel bristles with life, from the birds at the front and on the handles, to the humans wrapped in snakes on the back legs. Most likely made in southern China, it seems to offer a view of a spirit world in constant movement and flux.
- Provenance
- From at least 1926 to 1961
- Eugene Meyer (1875-1959) and Agnes E. Meyer (1887-1970), Washington, DC, and Mt. Kisco, NY, from at least 1926 [1]
- From 1961
- Freer Gallery of Art, gift of Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer in 1961 [2]
- Notes:
- [1] See H. d'Ardenne de Tizac, L'Art Chinois Classique (Paris: Henri Laurens, 1926), p. 25, pls. 6-7.
- [2] See Agnes Meyer's Deed of Gift, dated December 21, 1961, 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)
- Ancient Chinese Jades and Bronzes (November 20, 2010 to January 3, 2016)
- Ancient Chinese Bronzes (May 9, 1993 to February 10, 1997)
- 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 (March 9, 1981 to March 12, 1982)
- Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer Memorial Exhibition (September 25, 1971 to October 2, 1972)
- Chinese Art (January 1, 1963 to March 6, 1981)
- Ausstellung Chinesischer Kunst (January 12 to April 2, 1929)
- Previous custodian or owner
- Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer ((1875-1959) and (1887-1970))
- Date
- ca. 1100-1050 BCE
- Period
- Probably late Shang dynasty, late Anyang period
- Origin
- China
- Topic
- casting
- metal
- bronze
- animal
- Shang dynasty (ca. 1600 - ca. 1050 BCE)
- Anyang period, Late Shang dynasty (ca. 1300 - 1050 BCE)
- wine
- China
- Chinese Art
- taotie
- Related Online Resources
- Google Cultural Institute
- See more items in
- Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Collection
- Credit Line
- Gift of Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer
- Data Source
- Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
- Accession Number
- F1961.33a-b
- Type
- Vessel
- Restrictions & Rights
- CC0
- Medium
- Bronze
- Dimensions
- H x W x D: 32.2 × 32.2 × 15.7 cm (12 11/16 × 12 11/16 × 6 3/16 in)
- Record ID
- fsg_F1961.33a-b
Related Object Groups
3D Model