China
Chinese

Bronze with verdigris
Warring States period (475-221 B.C.E.)
Height: 14.625 in; Width: 8 in; Depth: 7 in
Idiophones – Struck Directly – Gongs

Bronzes have been cast in China for about 3,700 years. Most Chinese bronzes of about 1500–300 BCE, roughly the Bronze Age in China, may be described as ritual vessels intended for the worship of ancestors, who are often named in inscriptions on the bronzes. This bronze ritual drum/vessel is adorned with ‘Taotie’ (a mythical ferocious animal) patterns.  At the top is the crown with two seated birds resting on the rounded barrel-shaped body.  The base is in the form of two kneeling human figures holding up the rounded drum with their head and shoulder.  Many of these ritual drums of the ‘Warring States’ were specially cast to commemorate important events in the lives of their possessors. Ritual drums/vessels of ancient China represent possibly the most remarkable achievement in the whole history of metalcraft before modern times.  The entire drum/vessel, including base and bird figures, shows heavy verdigris patination.