Ritual Covered Food Container (Dou)
(China )
On the lid are scenes of hunting and of related ritual activities: the selection of mulberry branches for bows, the shooting of birds, and the sacrifice of a winged animal. The section shown in the drawing depicts the preparation of food within a raised building. Below, musicians strike hanging gongs and bells. Outside, four figures brandishing spears perform a weapons dance. Around the bowl of the vessel appear armed men among animals, many of them fantastic.
Provenance
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object.
William T. / Henry Walters Collection, Baltimore; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.
Exhibitions
1995-1996 | Raiders and Traders on China's Northern Frontier. Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Washington. |
Geographies
China (Place of Origin)
Measurements
Overall, H: 7 3/4 × W: 8 3/4 × D: 7 1/4 in. (19.7 × 22.2 × 18.4 cm); Base, H: 6 1/8 × W: 8 3/4 × D: 7 1/4 in. (15.6 × 22.2 × 18.4 cm); Lid, H: 2 3/8 × Diam: 7 1/4 in. (6 × 18.4 cm)
Credit Line
Acquired by William T. or Henry Walters, before 1931
Accession Number
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
54.2182