very thin walls; tube-shaped body with three thick, tapering, splayed feet; rounded top with short spout and half-circle-shaped opening; handle decorated with incised lines and v's and applied circles

Tripod Ewer, c. 2000-1500 BCE

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The Bronze Age succeeded the Neolithic or Stone Age during the second millenium BCE in the Yellow River region of north China. The Erlitou culture with its site near Luoyang in Henan province dating between 2000 and 1500 BCE, has yielded the earliest bronze vessels in China as well as pottery vessels modeled on bronze prototypes. The overall design of this elegant, thin walled, pouring vessel, including its pointed hollow tripod legs, wide, flat handle with incised surface decoration, and domed cover with cut-out spout is typical of ceramics excavated at Erlitou sites in the middle region of the Yellow River. While metal prototypes for such a work are presumed, no exact bronze prototype has yet been excavated.

Details
Title
Tripod Ewer
Role
Artist
Accession Number
2004.90
Curator Approved

This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.

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very thin walls; tube-shaped body with three thick, tapering, splayed feet; rounded top with short spout and half-circle-shaped opening; handle decorated with incised lines and v's and applied circles