Tripod Container with Dragon-Head Handle (Zhadou)
Unknown Artist
500s
Medium
bronze
Dimensions
h. 22.8 cm · diameter of mouth with rim 15.5 cm
Classification
Metalwork
Department
Chinese Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund
Accession Number
1983.214
About this artwork
This dragon, winged chimera (CMA 1980.184), and grotesque monster's face (CMA 1930.731) exhibit uninhibited imagination in the representation of fantastic animals--all are full of energy, vigor, and magical power. Whether as purely sculptural forms or decorative elements of utilitarian vessels, they are characterized by a sensitive modeling of dynamic forms with the typical Chinese elegance of line.