Ritual food container

Historical period(s)
Eastern Zhou dynasty, ca. 6th-5th century BCE
Medium
Bronze
Dimensions
H x W x D: 16.5 x 20.5 x 17.7 cm (6 1/2 x 8 1/16 x 6 15/16 in)
Geography
China, Shaanxi province, Liyu
Credit Line
Gift of The Arthur M. Sackler Foundation
Collection
Arthur M. Sackler Collection
Accession Number
S1987.39a-b
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Metalwork, Vessel
Type

Ritual vessel: li ding

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

To 1971
Gran Collection, London, United Kingdom [1]

1971
Sale, London, Sotheby & Co., Catalogue of Important Chinese Ceramics, Bronzes, and Works of Art, March 2, 1971, lot 49: "A Rare and Attractive Archaic Bronze Covered Vessel (ting)" [2]

1971
J.T. Tai & Co., purchased from sale at Sotheby & Co., London, "Catalogue of Important Chinese Ceramics, Bronzes, and Works of Art" March 2, 1971, lot 49 [3]

1971-1974
Dr. Arthur M. Sackler, purchased from J.T. Tai & Co. on November 10, 1971 [4]

1974-1987
The Arthur M. Sackler Foundation, gift of Dr. Arthur M. Sackler in 1974 [5]

From 1987
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, gift of the Arthur M. Sackler Foundation [6]

Notes:

[1] The 1971 auction catalogue listed the vessel as "The Property of a Gentleman". See copy of auction catalogue, object file. The paper file from the Sackler Foundations notes that this was previously in the collection of Gran before J.T. Tai & Co. purchased it.

[2] See note 1.

[3] According to records from Dr. Arthur M. Sackler, J.T. Tai & Co., purchased this vessel from the 1971 London, Sotheby's auction. On November 10, 1971 this was sold to Dr. Sackler through Paul Singer (?). The J.T. Tai & Co., dealer number is YT 6002.

[4] See note 3.

[5] Dr. Arthur M. Sackler donated the object to the Arthur M. Sackler Foundation in 1974. See correspondence on the transfer of object to the Foundation, copies in object file.

[6] See Deed of Gift, object file.

Previous Owner(s) and Custodian(s)

Gran
Dr. Arthur M. Sackler 1913-1987
J.T. Tai & Co. established in 1950
Arthur M. Sackler Foundation founded 1965

Published References
  • Dawn Ho Delbanco. Art from Ritual: Ancient Chinese Bronze Vessels from the Arthur M. Sackler Collections. Exh. cat. Washington. cat. 58, pp. 140-141.
  • Jenny F. So. Eastern Zhou Ritual Bronzes from the Arthur M. Sackler Collections. Ancient Chinese Bronzes from the Arthur M. Sackler Collections, vol. 3 New York, 1995. cat. 18, pp. 150-153.
  • et al. Asian Art in the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery: The Inaugural Gift. Washington, 1987. cat. 145, p. 220.
Collection Area(s)
Chinese Art
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
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