Ritual vessel (bian)
On loan to The Met
This work of art is currently on loan to the museum.Production of bronze ritual vessels for local Confucian temples continued to flourish after the fall of the Mongol Yuan dynasty. According to its inscription, this example was cast in 1483 for the Confucian temple in Zhenjiang. Traditionally, such pedestal bowls (bian) were baskets made of bamboo, which was not very durable. This bronze version meticulously replicated the plaiting pattern of basketry, evidence of cross-medium inspiration in bronze art.
Inscription on the vessel
中順大夫直隸鎮江府提調官知府博興熊佑， 奉議大夫同知松茲伍琇， 承直郎通判大同孫紳， 永嘉陳次生、蒼梧劉江， 承事郎推官鄞縣孫紱
Grand Master of Palace Accord, Supervisor of Zhenjiang, and Prefect Xiong You from Boxing, Grand Master for Proper Consultation and Co-administrator Wu Xiu from Songzi, Gentlemen for Fostering Uprightness and Assistant Prefects . . . , and Gentlemen for Managing Affairs, and Metropolitan Judge Sun Fu from Yin County.
Inscription on the lid
直隸鎮江府儒學文廟祭器
成化拾玖年癸卯二月吉旦造
Ritual vessel for the Confucian school of Zhenjiang Prefecture. Made on an auspicious day of the second month of the nineteenth year of the Chenghua reign [1483].
Inscription on the vessel
中順大夫直隸鎮江府提調官知府博興熊佑， 奉議大夫同知松茲伍琇， 承直郎通判大同孫紳， 永嘉陳次生、蒼梧劉江， 承事郎推官鄞縣孫紱
Grand Master of Palace Accord, Supervisor of Zhenjiang, and Prefect Xiong You from Boxing, Grand Master for Proper Consultation and Co-administrator Wu Xiu from Songzi, Gentlemen for Fostering Uprightness and Assistant Prefects . . . , and Gentlemen for Managing Affairs, and Metropolitan Judge Sun Fu from Yin County.
Inscription on the lid
直隸鎮江府儒學文廟祭器
成化拾玖年癸卯二月吉旦造
Ritual vessel for the Confucian school of Zhenjiang Prefecture. Made on an auspicious day of the second month of the nineteenth year of the Chenghua reign [1483].
Artwork Details
- 明成化 鎮江路學祭器銅籩
- Title: Ritual vessel (bian)
- Period: Ming dynasty (1368–1644)
- Date: 1483
- Culture: China
- Medium: Copper alloy
- Dimensions: H. 8 7/8 in. (22.6 cm); W. 8 1/8 in. (20.6 cm)
- Classification: Metalwork
- Credit Line: Lent by The Palace Museum
- Rights and Reproduction: Photograph courtesy of The Palace Museum, Beijing
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art