Unknown Artist
'Li' (tripod)
- Other titles:
- Tripod 'li'
- Location
- Not on display
- Further information
The 'li' is a uniquely Chinese cooling vessel which when filled with water and covered with a perforated vessel, was used for steaming. The simple surface decoration is characteristic of such wares: the deep cord-like markings on the body are the imprints left by the cord-lined moulds in which the piece was shaped. The vessel shape is made of three mammary lobes standing on pointed feet.
Reference:
Willets, W., 'Foundations of Chinese Art' London, Thames and Hudson, 1965. pg.38, fig. 13.
Valenstein, S., 'A Handbook of Chinese Ceramics' New York, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1975, collection plate no. 3 (pg.14).
Pang, M.A., 'An album of Chinese Art' Melbourne, National Gallery of Victoria, 1983, fig. 14.
Asian Art Dept., AGNSW, 21 September 1983.
- Place of origin
-
Longshan,
Shandong Province,
China
- Period
- China: Shang dynasty circa 1600–1100 BCE
- Year
- circa 14th century BCE-11th century BCE
- Media
- Ceramic
- Medium
- grey earthenware
- Dimensions
- 13.6 x 13.5cm (irreg.)
- Signature & date
- Not signed. Not dated.
- Credit
- Purchased 1983
- Accession number
- 231.1983