Lidded Vessel
525 BC-475 BC (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This traditional vessel, called a dou in Chinese, was produced between 525-475 BC during the Eastern Zhou period (771-221 BC). Vessels of this sort had been produced since the Neolithic period (5000-1700 BC), but were typically made of ceramic in many regions of China. During the Western Zhou dynasty (1050-771 BC) it became routine to cast these vessels in bronze and use them in various ceremonies and death rituals.
The tiny interlaced snake-like creatures, which decorate many Eastern Zhou bronzes, are used on this example as background to a pattern of small protruding beads distributed symmetrically on the surface. The shape of the vessel, characterised by a hemispherical bowl on a high stem, was extensively reproduced during the Song dynasty (960-1279) when a taste for archaic objects was shared by the imperial court and wealthy élites.
The tiny interlaced snake-like creatures, which decorate many Eastern Zhou bronzes, are used on this example as background to a pattern of small protruding beads distributed symmetrically on the surface. The shape of the vessel, characterised by a hemispherical bowl on a high stem, was extensively reproduced during the Song dynasty (960-1279) when a taste for archaic objects was shared by the imperial court and wealthy élites.
Object details
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| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
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| Materials and techniques | Bronze |
| Brief description | Met, China, vess/cont/holders Met, China, vess/cont/holders |
| Physical description | Vessel composed of a hemispherical bowl on a high stem with splayed foot and a lid. The bowl has two ring handles and the lid three. The surface is decorated with small protruding beads on a background of tiny interlaced snake-like creatures. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Gallery label |
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| Credit line | Purchased with Art Fund support, the Vallentin Bequest, Sir Percival David and the Universities China Committee |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | This traditional vessel, called a dou in Chinese, was produced between 525-475 BC during the Eastern Zhou period (771-221 BC). Vessels of this sort had been produced since the Neolithic period (5000-1700 BC), but were typically made of ceramic in many regions of China. During the Western Zhou dynasty (1050-771 BC) it became routine to cast these vessels in bronze and use them in various ceremonies and death rituals. The tiny interlaced snake-like creatures, which decorate many Eastern Zhou bronzes, are used on this example as background to a pattern of small protruding beads distributed symmetrically on the surface. The shape of the vessel, characterised by a hemispherical bowl on a high stem, was extensively reproduced during the Song dynasty (960-1279) when a taste for archaic objects was shared by the imperial court and wealthy élites. |
| Bibliographic reference | Catalogue of a Collection of objects of Chinese art, London, Private Printing for the Burlington Fine Arts Club, 1915
G.11, pl.XLII |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.9:1, 2-1935 |
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| Record created | December 22, 1999 |
| Record URL |
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