Pair of Braziers with Eared Cups
Han dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE), 100 BCE–100 CE
Medium
Bronze
Dimensions
Cup: 3.6 × 12.6 × 10.6 cm (1 7/16 × 4 15/16 × 4 3/16 in.); Stand: 9.7 × 24 × 12 cm (3 13/16 × 9 7/16 × 4 3/4 in.)
Classification
drinking vessel
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
86418
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Eared cups with warming stands were probably used to heat sauces for meat. Each side of these warming stands is cast with one of the Animals of the Four Directions (si shen)—the Green Dragon of the East, the White Tiger of the West, the Black Warrior (tortoise and snake) of the North, and the Red Bird of the South. In Han art, the pervasive appearance of these symbolic animals reflects a desire to center the owner within the favorable influences of the universe.
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...