H x W x D: 23.2 x 9.8 x 1.7 cm (9 1/8 x 3 7/8 x 11/16 in)
Type:
Weapon and Armament
Origin:
Northeast China or Southeast Inner Mongolia
Date:
6th-5th century BCE
Description:
Scabbard fitting with arched profile, the center of the tapering trapezoidal fitting cast in low relief with an intricate openwork design of interlaced serpents with finely ribbed bodies, with two loops projecting from each side. With a mottled green patina and some encrustation.
Provenance:
To 1946
Mathias Komor, New York. [1]
From 1946 to 2000
Mr. Myron S. Falk, Jr. (1906-1992) and Mrs. Pauline Baerwald Falk (1910-2000), purchased from Mathias Komor, New York in 1946. [2]
2001
Christie's, New York sale, "The Falk Collection I, Important Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art," September 20, 2001, lot no. 177, “A Rare Reticulated Bronze Scabbard Fitting.” [3]
From 2001
Freer Gallery of Art, purchased at auction, Christie’s, New York, September 20, 2001, lot no. 177, through Jim Lally of J. J. Lally & Co. Oriental Art, New York. [4]
[1] Object file, Collections Management Office.
[2] See document dated September 20, 2001, copy in object file, Collections Management Office.
[3] See note 1 and 2.
[4] See note 1 and 2. Also see Freer Gallery of Art Purchase List after 1920 file, Collections Management Office.
Collection:
Freer Gallery of Art Collection
Exhibition History:
Traders and Raiders on China's Northern Frontier (November 19, 1995 to September 2, 1996)
The Art of Eastern Chou, 772-221 B.C. (November 13 to December 15, 1962)
Arts of the Chou Dynasty (February 21 to March 28, 1958)
