China / Ladle with dragon handle / 3rd century

China
Ladle with dragon handle
3rd century
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Creator Nationality: Asian; Far East Asian; Chinese
Creator Name-CRT: China
Title: Ladle with dragon handle
View: Principal view
Creation Start Date: 200
Creation End Date: 299
Creation Date: 3rd century
Creation Place: China
Object Type: Decorative Arts and Utilitarian Objects
Materials and Techniques: Gilt Bronze
Dimensions: L. 14 1/2 in. (36.8 cm)
Description: This sinuously curved ladle terminates with an open-mouthed dragon's head at the handle. The creature has two long horns, pointed ears, bulging eyes, and an attenuated snout. A small ball-like object?possibly an allusion to the flaming pearl often chased by images of dragons in later Chinese art?is caught between the two protruding teeth in the dragon's mouth. Under his chin , which curls into the suggestion of whiskers, is a small ring attached to an appendage, presumably for hanging the utensil. Similar ladles with full cups and dragon-headed handles have been excavated in tombs from the kingdom of Wu. Located in the central and lower Yangzi River valley and further south, Wu, which was supported by landowning immigrants from the north and had mercantile ties to Southeast Asia, was one of the three kingdoms that controlled China during the third century .
AMICA Contributor: The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Owner Location: New York, New York
ID Number: 1994.605.90
Credit Line: Charlotte C. and John C. Weber Collection, Gift of Charlotte C. and John C. Weber, 1994
Copyright: Copyright ? 2002 The Metropolitan Museum of Art. All rights reserved.
Rights: http://www.metmuseum.org/education/er_photo_lib.asp
Style or Period: Three Kingdoms period (220?265)
AMICA ID: MMA_.1994.605.90
AMICA Library Year: 2002
Media Metadata Rights: Copyright (c) 2002 The Metropolitan Museum of Art. All Rights Reserved

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