Jarre, M.C. 2001-19(2), Entre -1600 et -800

Date of production: between -1600 and -800 type(s) of object(s): archaeology, ceramics, china name(s): tableware and kitchen utensils, jar materials and techniques: terracotta, colors - pigments place(s) of execution/realization: gansu (province) dimensions - artwork: height: 34. 1cm diameter: 12cm description: this jar completes in an original way the rich set of terracotta vases from the ancient cultures of gansu and qinghai already collected at the museum. This jar with brown-black decoration is larger in size and richer in decoration than the vase acquired in 1928 at the léon wannieck gallery (mc. 7417). It stands out from the most common xindian vases by a particular scale and complexity of large triangulated motifs, ending at their ends with a characteristic winding, sometimes interpreted as the stylized evocation of ram's horns or facing dogs. This theme is frequently encountered on pieces from the jijachan cemetery, in the yongjing district, and very rarely on ceramics discovered at zhangiazui, the second eponymous site of the xindian culture. On each side, two quadrupeds frolic below the large ribbon motif. Despite the relatively crude aspect of the ceramic techniques and the archaism of the decorations, the xindian culture is later than the qija culture and contemporary with the shang dynasty and the beginning of the western zhou. It appears to extend from about 1300 to about 900 bc. Ad acquisition method: manual donation name of donor, testator, seller: deydier, christian, deydier, agnès date of acquisition: 12–2001 institution: cernuschi museum, museum of asian arts of the city of paris inventory number: m. C. 2001-19. Date: Entre -1600 et -800.