Ritual vessel (lei) with dragons

Ceremonial vessel of the type lei. Wood stand.
Surface: rough green and blue patination with patches of smoother dull black.
Decoration: in low relief.

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Historical period(s)
Spring and Autumn period, Eastern Zhou dynasty, ca. 8th century BCE
Medium
Bronze
Dimensions
H x Diam: 35 Ɨ 42.3 cm (13 13/16 Ɨ 16 11/16 in)
Geography
China
Credit Line
Gift of Charles Lang Freer
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art
Accession Number
F1907.33
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Metalwork, Vessel
Type

Ritual vessel: lei

Keywords
China, dragon, Eastern Zhou dynasty (770 - 221 BCE), Spring and Autumn period (770 - 476 BCE)
Provenance

To 1907
Unknown owner, China, to 1907 [1]

1907
Shinsuke Hayashi, Kyoto, Japan, acquired in 1907 [2]

From 1907 to 1919
Charles Lang Freer (1854-1919), purchased from Shinsuke Hayashi in Japan in 1907 [3]

From 1920
Freer Gallery of Art, gift of Charles Lang Freer in 1920 [4]

Notes:

[1] According to Curatorial Remark 3 in the object record, Charles Lang Freer noted: "Mr. Hayashi, a leading dealer in Kyoto, from whom I bought this jar in 1907, told me that it came direct to him from China the same year."

[2] See note 1. Also, see Original Bronze List, S.I. 28, Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Archives.

[3] See note 2.

[4] The original deed of Charles Lang Freer's gift was signed in 1906. The collection was received in 1920 upon the completion of the Freer Gallery.

Previous Owner(s) and Custodian(s)

Shinsuke Hayashi (C.L. Freer source)
Charles Lang Freer 1854-1919

Description

Ceremonial vessel of the type lei. Wood stand.
Surface: rough green and blue patination with patches of smoother dull black.
Decoration: in low relief.

Inscription(s)

1-character inscription

Published References
  • Sueji Umehara. On the Shapes of the Bronze Vessels of Ancient China: An Archaeological Study. Toho Bunka Gakuin kyoto kenkyujo kenkyu hohoku, vol.15 Kyoto. pl. 19, fig. 1.
  • Sueji Umehara. Shina kodo seikwa [Selected Relics of Ancient Chinese Bronzes from Collections in Europe and Asia]. 3 vols., Osaka. vol. 2: pl. 136.
  • Dr. John Alexander Pope, Rutherford John Gettens, James Cahill, Noel Barnard. The Freer Chinese Bronzes. Oriental Studies Series, vol. 1, no. 7 Washington. cat. 84, p.457, fig. 84.
Collection Area(s)
Chinese Art
Web Resources
The Story of the Beautiful
Google Cultural Institute
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