COLLECTION NAME:
National Palace English
Record
Work ID:
M01B00059
Title:
Bronze square Yan vessel with kui dragon motif
Creation Date:
Spring and Autumn period
Start Year Date:
B.C.770
End Year Date:
B.C.481
Dynasty:
09 Spring Autumn Period (770~481 B.C)
Creation Place:
China
Measurements:
Height: 42.5 cm; Weight: 12470g
Material:
Bronze
Form:
Yan (cooking vessel, steamer)
Type:
Bronzes
Repository:
The National Palace Museum, Taipei
Description:
The square yan has ears and knobs affixed to it on either side of both upper and lower parts so that this vessel can be conveniently detached and used separately as well. The most distinguished part of its decoration are the tigers in high relief that stand on the corners of its front and back. On the center walls, there are two freestanding dragonheads holding a ring in their mouth. The animal heads on the sidewalls are also in high relief. The front and back of the lower part each has a three-dimensional, freestanding tiger with its head turned back as if to glance at something. The whole vessel, decorated with ten tigers, is an extreme rare case. The vessel is covered in bas-relief of zoomorphic dragon patterns, and its belly is decorated predominantly with diagonal gui dragon motifs. The upper and lower ears are decorated with alternate-large-and-small ring scale patterns. On the whole, the vessel embodies a free and ragged beauty.
ImageV ID:
M01B00059AS001
Rights:
Lee & Lee Communications