Double vessel with mythical beasts (champion vase)
The term “champion vase,” which appears only in Western scholarship, refers to vessels that have two narrow vertical compartments connected by a carved mythical bird. It may be a loose translation of yingxiong bei, or hero’s cup, referring to the eagle (ying) and the bear (xiong) upon which such vessels stand. Based on an archaic bronze vessel type that can be traced back to the second century B.C., champion vases were revived beginning in the sixteenth century and were manufactured in the following centuries in different media, including jade, cloisonné enamel, and rhinoceros horn.
Artwork Details
- 清中期 玉雕英雄雙聯瓶
- Title: Double vessel with mythical beasts (champion vase)
- Period: Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
- Date: 18th–19th century
- Culture: China
- Medium: Jade (nephrite)
- Dimensions: H. 6 1/2 in. (16.4 cm); W. 3 1/2 in. (9.2 cm); D. 2 3/4 in. (7.5 cm)
- Classification: Jade
- Credit Line: Gift of Heber R. Bishop, 1902
- Object Number: 02.18.370a, b
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
China
dated 1774
China
18th century
China
late 18th–early 19th century
China
1713–22
China
18th century
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.