Period:Yuan dynasty (1271–1368) Date:14th century Culture:China Medium:Bronze Dimensions:H. 15 1/2 in. (39.4 cm); Diam. 8 in. (20.3 cm); Diam. of rim 4 3/8 in. (11.1 cm); Diam. of foot 5 5/8 in. (14.3 cm) Classification:Metalwork Credit Line:Purchase, Brooke Russell Astor Bequest, 2014 Accession Number:2014.449 This pear-shaped vase has a wide oval mouth, a long neck with two tubular handles, a swelling belly and a tall ring foot. Its surface is decorated with six horizontal bands of archaistic motifs, five on the body and one on the foot. The top band consists of bird-like motifs in low relief on a background of small squarish spirals. The next one includes two masks of fantastic animals, apparently derived from ancient bronze designs, which are also repeated on the surface of the handles. The third band is composed of interlaced “ dragons ” with vaguely defined heads. Designs in the fourth band and that on the foot are identical, which are the so-called “ hook, wing and eye ” motifs, that alternate around the circumference. The last band on the body of the vase, the tallest of all, is made of dragons with intertwined bodies.
Period:Yuan dynasty (1271–1368) Date:14th century Culture:China Medium:Bronze Dimensions:H. 15 1/2 in. (39.4 cm); Diam. 8 in. (20.3 cm); Diam. of rim 4 3/8 in. (11.1 cm); Diam. of foot 5 5/8 in. (14.3 cm) Classification:Metalwork Credit Line:Purchase, Brooke Russell Astor Bequest, 2014 Accession Number:2014.449 This pear-shaped vase has a wide oval mouth, a long neck with two tubular handles, a swelling belly and a tall ring foot. Its surface is decorated with six horizontal bands of archaistic motifs, five on the body and one on the foot. The top band consists of bird-like motifs in low relief on a background of small squarish spirals. The next one includes two masks of fantastic animals, apparently derived from ancient bronze designs, which are also repeated on the surface of the handles. The third band is composed of interlaced “ dragons ” with vaguely defined heads. Designs in the fourth band and that on the foot are identical, which are the so-called “ hook, wing and eye ” motifs, that alternate around the circumference. The last band on the body of the vase, the tallest of all, is made of dragons with intertwined bodies.