Ritual wine container (zun) with taotie and dragons

From at least 1951 to 1970
Dennis M. Cohen (1891-1970). [1]

1970
Mrs. Mary Cohen, ownership transferred to Mrs. Cohen after the death of her husband, Dennis M. Cohen in 1970. [2]

1970
Sale, London, Sotheby & Co., Important Archaic Chinese Bronzes, Sculpture and Ceramics: The Property of Mrs. Mary Cohen, July 14, 1970, lot 53: “A Ritual Bronze Wine Vessel (tsun).” [3]

From 1970 to 1997
Dr. Paul Singer (1904-1997), Summit, New Jersey, purchased at Sale, London, Sotheby & Co., Important Archaic Chinese Bronzes, Sculpture and Ceramics: The Property of Mrs. Mary Cohen, July 14, 1970, lot 53: “A Ritual Bronze Wine Vessel (tsun).” [4]

From 1997 to 1999
In the custody of Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Washington, DC [5]

From 1999
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, gift of the Arthur M. Sackler Foundation, Paul Singer, the AMS Foundation for the Arts, Sciences, and Humanities, and the Children of Arthur M. Sackler. [6]

Notes:

[1] According to notes from Thomas Lawton, the vessel was exhibited, while in the collection of Dennis M. Cohen (1891-1970), in the Exhibition of Early Chinese Bronzes, organized by the Oriental Ceramic Society, London, 1951, catalogue no. 7. See Curatorial Remark 2 in the object record.

[2] See auction catalogue for the Sotheby & Co., London Sale, Important Archaic Chinese Bronzes, Sculpture and Ceramics: The Property of Mrs. Mary Cohen, July 14, 1970.

[3] See note 2.

[4] According to the Price List for the Sotheby & Co., London Sale, Important Archaic Chinese Bronzes, Sculpture and Ceramics: The Property of Mrs. Mary Cohen, July 14, 1970, lot 53 was purchased by Dr. Paul Singer. See note 2.

[5] Between 1997 and 1999, The Dr. Paul Singer Collection of Chinese Art was in the custody of the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Washington DC

[6] See “The Dr. Paul Singer Collection of Chinese Art Gift Agreement” from March 1999, Collections Management Office. The object was formally accessioned into the museum’s permanent collection in 2012.