Minneapolis Institute of Art

Li tripod food vessel

China

Date

13th century BCE

Medium

Bronze

Department

Asian Art

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

This three-lobed vessel is cast in flat relief with three taotie masks comprising the chief decoration. While the motifs on the upper frieze, where space is more restricted, are simple stylized Ts, the masks on the legs are impressively complex. The pronounced bulging eyes are surrounded by coiled horns; its body and curled tail is shown in profile surrounded by spirals. The tripod is a good example of a Shang bronze ritual vessel whose basic shape evolved from Neolithic and early Bronze Age ceramics. China, Asia

The authoritative record is held by Minneapolis Institute of Art. LinkedCulture surfaces this object and its connections; it does not alter institutional metadata.