Object Details
- Description
- The drum is relatively large, measuring about 65 centimeters high and 118 centimeters across. Blue and green in color due to its corrosion products, the drum bears bands of low relief decoration which circle the sides. Six pairs of frogs are depicted, placed equilaterally around the rim. A modern carved wooden stand accompanies the drum.
- Label
- This massive bronze drum is typical of ritual drums used by mountain tribes in the Guangxi Zhuangzu Autonomous Region—an area bounded on the west by Yunnan Province and in the southwest by northern Vietnam. Its silhouette, fine surface decoration, including a sun on the top and repeated narrow rows of abstracted birds on the sides, and the raised figures of frogs on the top are all associated with ancient drums found in this area.
- Provenance
- From at least 1964 to 1992
- Virginia (d. 1992) and Edward Chow (1910-80), Geneva, Switzerland. [1]
- From 1992 to 1994
- Estate of Virginia Chow. [2]
- 1994
- Sotheby's, London sale on June 7, 1994, lot no. 12. [3]
- 1994
- The Virginia and Edward Chow Foundation, Geneva, Switzerland, purchased at auction of Virginia Chow Estate, Sotheby’s, London, June 7, 1994, lot no. 12. [4]
- From 1994
- Freer Gallery of Art, gift of The Virginia and Edward Chow Foundation, Geneva, Switzerland. [5]
- Notes:
- [1] Curatorial Remark 4 in the object record. Also see letter from David D. Chow dated, October 22, 1994, copy in object file, Collections Management Office.
- [2] Curatorial Remark 4 in the object record. Also see memorandum dated May 12, 1994 and April 4, 1994, copies in object file, Collections Management Office. According to Thomas Lawton’s statement in the memorandum dated April 4, 1994, Virginia Chow inherited the collection after Edward Chow’s death. Virginia Chow passed away in 1992, and her estate was settled in 1994.
- [3] See note 2.
- [4] See note 2.
- [5] See note 2. Also see Freer Gallery of Art Purchase List after 1920 file, Collections Management Office.
- Collection
- Freer Gallery of Art Collection
- Exhibition History
- Virtue and Entertainment: Chinese Music in the Visual Arts (October 1, 2005 to May 29, 2006)
- Beyond the Legacy--Anniversary Acquisitions of the Freer Gallery of Art (October 11, 1998 to April 11, 1999)
- Previous custodian or owner
- Edward T. Chow (1910-1980)
- Virginia Chow
- Estate of Virginia Chow
- Sotheby's (London)
- The Virginia and Edward Chow Foundation
- Credit Line
- Gift of the Chow Foundation in memory of Virgina and Edward Chow
- 6th-early 8th century
- Period
- Tang dynasty or earlier
- Accession Number
- F1994.25a-b
- Restrictions & Rights
- Usage conditions apply
- Type
- Musical Instrument
- Medium
- Bronze
- Dimensions
- H x W x D: 71 x 120 x 120 cm (27 15/16 x 47 1/4 x 47 1/4 in)
- Origin
- Guangxi, China
- Related Online Resources
- Google Cultural Institute
- See more items in
- Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Collection
- Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
- Topic
- casting
- metal
- bronze
- Period of Division (220 - 589)
- frog
- China
- Chinese Art
- Record ID
- fsg_F1994.25a-b
- GUID (Link to Original Record)
- http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ye37e516286-465a-4f1c-b022-2a5c182b9fa7
