Archaistic ritual steamer (yan)
On loan to The Met
This work of art is currently on loan to the museum.A number of caches unearthed in Sichuan constitute major sources of Southern Song bronzes, presumably buried to thwart looting during the Mongol invasion in the mid-thirteenth century. Typical of this group is a hoard found in 1996 at Pengzhou, thirty-seven miles north of Sichuan’s capital. The discovery included this large vessel in the form of an ancient steamer. It was likely used as an ornamental censer or flower vase instead of a cooking vessel like its ancient prototype.
Artwork Details
- 南宋 倣古銅甗 （四川彭州窖藏出土）
- Title: Archaistic ritual steamer (yan)
- Period: Southern Song dynasty (1127–1279)
- Date: 13th century
- Culture: China
- Medium: Copper alloy
- Dimensions: H. 30 3/16 in. (76.7 cm); Diam. 12 15/16 in. (32.8 cm); Wt. 41.9 lb (19 kg)
- Classification: Metalwork
- Credit Line: Lent by Pengzhou City Museum
- Rights and Reproduction: Photograph courtesy of Pengzhou City Museum
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art