Vessel in the Form of a Heavenly Rooster
Containers in the shape of a rooster carrying a vessel on its back are an invention of Song dynasty (960–1279) antiquarians, who believed that such ritual vessels existed in the classical age of ancient China. Several bronzes similar to this one were catalogued as “heavenly rooster vessels” (tianjizun) in the collection of Emperor Qianlong (r. 1736–95), who had a deep interest in antiquarianism. The term “heavenly rooster” comes from a Chinese legend about a mythical bird whose crowing awakens the whole world.
Artwork Details
- 清中期 銅錯金銀天雞尊
- Title: Vessel in the Form of a Heavenly Rooster
- Period: Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
- Date: 19th century
- Culture: China
- Medium: Bronze inlaid with gold and silver
- Dimensions: H. 9 3/4 in. (24.8 cm); L. 9 1/4 in. (23.5 cm)
- Classification: Metalwork
- Credit Line: Bequest of John L. Cadwalader, 1914
- Object Number: 14.58.176
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art
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Wan Yannian (Chinese, active late 18th–early 19th century)
19th century
late 19th century
late 19th century
late 19th century
late 19th century
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