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Archaistic vase

Hu Wenming Chinese
1599
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 216
On loan to The Met
This work of art is currently on loan to the museum.
This vase imitates ancient bronze ritual wine vessels (gu), though its form is wider. It is one of the very rare examples with a reliable date that can be attributed to the late Ming bronze master Hu Wenming, active in Yunjian (now Songjiang, a suburb of Shanghai). Rendered in archaic script, the inscription on the rim of its mouth reads: “Made by Hu Wenming of Yunjian in the eighth month in the autumn of the jihai year of the Wanli reign.”

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • 明萬曆 胡文明銅鎏金仿古觚式瓶
  • Title: Archaistic vase
  • Artist: Hu Wenming (Chinese, active late 16th–early 17th century)
  • Period: Ming dynasty (1368–1644)
  • Date: 1599
  • Culture: China
  • Medium: Gilt copper alloy
  • Dimensions: H. 10 3/8 in. (26.4 cm); Diam. of mouth 6 ¾ in. (17.1 cm); Diam. of foot 3 5/8 in. (9.2 cm
  • Classification: Metalwork
  • Credit Line: Lent by Saint Louis Art Museum, Spink Asian Art Collection, Bequest of Edith J. and C. C. Johnson Spink
  • Rights and Reproduction: Photograph courtesy of Saint Louis Art Museum
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art