Ceremonial vessel (ting)

Ceremonial vessel of the type ting; square.
Upper part broken away from the base and repaired.

Surface: a variable gray and green patina with areas of malachite green incrustation.

Decoration: in low relief and engraved: projecting ridges (one broken off); forged inscription. Inscriptions on cover and stand.

ā€¦ Read More

Historical period(s)
Modern
Medium
Bronze
Dimensions
H x W: 18.3 x 15 cm (7 3/16 x 5 7/8 in)
Geography
China
Credit Line
Gift of Charles Lang Freer
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art Collection
Accession Number
F1913.15a-c
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Metalwork, Vessel
Type

Ritual vessel: fangding

Keywords
China, Modern period (1912 - present)
Provenance

Imperial Household collection of Prince Kung of China, Beijing [1]

To 1913
Yamanaka & Company, to 1913 [2]

From 1913 to 1919
Charles Lang Freer (1854-1919), purchased at the sale of the Prince Kung Collection (by order of Yamanaka and Company), American Art Association, New York February 27-28 and March 1, 1913 [3]

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

Notes:

[1] The Imperial Household collection of Prince Kung was under the authority of Prince Kung Ching Wang (Yixin) (1833-1898), and, later, Prince Puwei (Prince Gongxian) (1880-1936), before Yamanaka and Company acquired it. See Illustrated Catalogue of the Remarkable Collection of the Imperial Prince Kung of China, A Wonderful Treasury of Celestial Art: recently acquired by the widely known firm of Yamanaka & Company (New York: American Art Association, 1913). See also, Original Bronze List, S.I. 391, Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Archives.

[2] See note 1.

[3] See note 1.

[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)

Prince Kung Ching Wang 1833-1898
Charles Lang Freer 1854-1919
Yamanaka and Co. (C.L. Freer source) 1917-1965

Description

Ceremonial vessel of the type ting; square.
Upper part broken away from the base and repaired.

Surface: a variable gray and green patina with areas of malachite green incrustation.

Decoration: in low relief and engraved: projecting ridges (one broken off); forged inscription. Inscriptions on cover and stand.

Published References
  • Prince Kung Ching Wang. Illustrated Catalogue of the Remarkable Collection of the Imperial Prince Kung of China: A Wonderful Treasury of Celestial Art Recently Acquired by Yamanaka & Co. New York, February 27 - March 1, 1913. cat. 256.
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