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Vessel (gong)
Vessel (gong)

Vessel (gong)

Place of OriginChina
Dateapprox. 1900-1949
DynastyQing dynasty (1644-1911) or Republic period (1912-1949)
MaterialsHetian nephrite
DimensionsH. 8 1/2 in x W. 3 in x D. 5 1/2 in, H. 21.6 cm x W. 7.6 cm x D. 14 cm
Credit LineThe Avery Brundage Collection
Object numberB60J22
DepartmentChinese Art
ClassificationsJade And Stones
On View
Not on view
Text Entries
Rhyton cups (ornate cups in the shape of an animal or animal head) first appeared in jade as early as the Western Han dynasty (206 BCE-9 CE). They continued to be made in jade and metal through the Tang dynasty (617-906). Their association with ancient ritual practices and the dynamic shape of dragons used as handles or exterior decorations made their form particularly appealing as a model for archaistic vessels of the Song dynasty and later.