Ox-Shaped Vessel
1749-1795 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This ox-shaped vessel is an interesting object made during the Qianlong reign (1736-1795) in an antiquarian or archaic style. It is a close copy of a figure illustrated in chapter 38 of the Mirror of Antiquities, a catalogue of all the bronze vessels held in the imperial court, and compiled in 1749. This book aimed to record the whole imperial collection, and it was also used by craftsmen in the imperial workshops as a sourcebook of patterns, forms and decoration for their work. The ox-shaped figure in the catalogue is described as being a stand for some wooden structure, maybe a musical instrument, and as dating to the Tang dynasty (AD 618-907). The Qianlong copy was probably made using this illustrated book as reference; an inscription on the front side of the rectangular container reads: 'Made in imitation of the antique in the Qianlong period'.
The enamelled surface was realised in two different techniques: the green surface is in champlevé, where the underlying bronze is chiselled away and the enamel poured into it, while the details are in cloisonné, where wires soldered onto the surface serve to outline the colours. The visual effect is that of an archaic bronze, turned green due to corrosion, and inlaid with gold.
The enamelled surface was realised in two different techniques: the green surface is in champlevé, where the underlying bronze is chiselled away and the enamel poured into it, while the details are in cloisonné, where wires soldered onto the surface serve to outline the colours. The visual effect is that of an archaic bronze, turned green due to corrosion, and inlaid with gold.
Object details
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Enamels and gilding on copper |
| Brief description | Met, China, vess/cont/holders |
| Physical description | Ox-shaped vessel made of enamelled and gilded copper. The ox is standing, and on its back there are three containers, two cylindrical and the third rectangular, whose cavities go through the whole depth of the body of the figure. An inscription is on the front surface of the rectangular container. The whole surface is decorated with scrolls and spirals. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Style | |
| Marks and inscriptions | Note Chinese; Qian long fang gu; On the front surface of the cylindrical container; 1736-95 Translation Made in imitation of the antique in the Qianlong period |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This ox-shaped vessel is an interesting object made during the Qianlong reign (1736-1795) in an antiquarian or archaic style. It is a close copy of a figure illustrated in chapter 38 of the Mirror of Antiquities, a catalogue of all the bronze vessels held in the imperial court, and compiled in 1749. This book aimed to record the whole imperial collection, and it was also used by craftsmen in the imperial workshops as a sourcebook of patterns, forms and decoration for their work. The ox-shaped figure in the catalogue is described as being a stand for some wooden structure, maybe a musical instrument, and as dating to the Tang dynasty (AD 618-907). The Qianlong copy was probably made using this illustrated book as reference; an inscription on the front side of the rectangular container reads: 'Made in imitation of the antique in the Qianlong period'. The enamelled surface was realised in two different techniques: the green surface is in champlevé, where the underlying bronze is chiselled away and the enamel poured into it, while the details are in cloisonné, where wires soldered onto the surface serve to outline the colours. The visual effect is that of an archaic bronze, turned green due to corrosion, and inlaid with gold. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.75-1953 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | December 15, 1999 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
