Leg from a Ding Cooking Vessel

Artist Unknown

CultureChinese | Shang Dynasty

Dateca. 1100-1000 B.C.

MediumBronze

DimensionsOverall: 10 1/8 in. (25.7 cm)
Overall, Rim: 4 3/4 in. (12.1 cm)
Base: 3 3/16 in. (8.1 cm)

Credit LineGift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr.

Object number71.3.3

Collections

Asian Art

On View

Chrysler Museum of Art, Gallery 106

DescriptionOne of two legs of a large vessel. Hollow, but heavily cast. Notched flange extends 3/5ths of the way down front, notches filled with black material, as is most of decoration. 'Dao tie' mask is main motif with tips of ram's horns in relief. Large 'Lei wen' (thunder pattern) fills surrounding area. Two-fifths of vessel rising from foot is void of decoration except for double embossed lines encircling piece below 'dao tie'. Large mold mark extends from flange down center below 'dao tie', two other mold marks at edge of decorated panel which extends two-thirds of way around leg. Back are void of decoration. Bottom encrusted and uneven.