Page 141 - Deydier The_Lippens_Collection_of_Ancient_Chinese_Bronzes

41 – cowrie shell vessel
DIAN CULTURE, YUNNAN PROVINCE
ND
ST
2 – 1 CENTURIES B. C.
H.: 24 CM D.: 33 CM
Exceptionally rare bronze cowrie shell receptacle cast in the form
of a ritual drum.
The body of the drum consists of two sections: a bulging tyre-like
upper section and below it a flat mid-section which gradually widens
as it extends downwards towards its base.
The flat middle of the vessel’s body is divided into four sections, each
of which is decorated with a hunting scene featuring a horseman
in pursuit of a wild animal and marked off from its neighbour by a
perpendicular band of geometric patterns topped off with a semi-cir-
cular loop cast in a plaited-rope pattern. Below that, each section
of the widening base of the drum is decorated in low relief with an
elongated boat carrying four persons in high feathered headdresses.
The cover of the vessel is decorated with an extraordinary festive
scene: between two sacrificial altars situated at opposite ends of
the circular assembly ground, troupes of acrobats and dancers in
long-sleeved tunics move gracefully to the music produced by the
orchestra seated around the periphery of the celebratory scene.

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