Cleveland Museum of Art

Tripod Container with Dragon-Head Handle (Zhadou)

Date: 500s
Medium: bronze
Culture: China, Southern and Northern Dynasties period (386-589)
Department: Chinese Art
Institution: Cleveland Museum of Art

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. The tripod is supported by three splayed legs issuing from mouths of lion heads and ending in pawed feet.

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