Lidded ritual food cauldron (ding) with dragons

Ding (Xinzheng type) with deep cauldron covered by domed lid with flattened top surmounted by flaring rim. The legs are curved, bulging at the top and splayed toward the bottom. The two handles are shaped as rectangular loops and bent outward. The decoration consists of continuous bands of small, interlaced unit repeated again and again. The frieze under the rim is widest. Beneath a molded band which encircles the vessel below the main frieze, there is a narrow zone in which the same interlaced unit is repeated. On the lid are concentric friezes of this same design. Below the narrow frieze on the belly is a wreath of hanging petals filled with symmetrical figures of curls.

Historical period(s)
Eastern Zhou dynasty, ca. 600-500 BCE
Medium
Bronze
Dimensions
H x W: 31.8 x 35.8 cm (12 1/2 x 14 1/8 in)
Geography
China
Credit Line
Gift of Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art
Accession Number
F1970.38a-b
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Metalwork, Vessel
Type

Ritual vessel: ding

Keywords
China, dragon, Eastern Zhou dynasty (770 - 221 BCE)
Provenance

From at least 1969 to 1970
Eugene Meyer (1875-1959) and Agnes E. Meyer (1887-1970), Washington, DC, and Mt. Kisco, NY [1]

From 1970
Freer Gallery of Art, bequeathed by Agnes E. Meyer [2]

Notes:

[1] The object is included in Agnes E. Meyer’s will and testament dated December 23, 1969, copy in object file.

[2] See Agnes E. Meyer’s will and testament cited in note 2.

Previous Owner(s) and Custodian(s)

Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer (1875-1959) and (1887-1970)

Description

Ding (Xinzheng type) with deep cauldron covered by domed lid with flattened top surmounted by flaring rim. The legs are curved, bulging at the top and splayed toward the bottom. The two handles are shaped as rectangular loops and bent outward. The decoration consists of continuous bands of small, interlaced unit repeated again and again. The frieze under the rim is widest. Beneath a molded band which encircles the vessel below the main frieze, there is a narrow zone in which the same interlaced unit is repeated. On the lid are concentric friezes of this same design. Below the narrow frieze on the belly is a wreath of hanging petals filled with symmetrical figures of curls.

Published References
  • Thomas Lawton. Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer Memorial Exhibition. Exh. cat. Washington, 1971. cat. 10, pp. 20-21.
Collection Area(s)
Chinese Art
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
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