Artwork preview

Vessel leg in the form of a bird

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Vessel leg in the form of a bird by Unknown is a sculpture of a bird leg. The leg is made of a light-colored material, possibly ceramic or stone. It has a wide base that tapers to a narrower section before flaring out into a rounded form resembling a bird's foot. A long necklike protrusion at the top has a bird-like head with a short beak. The piece features intricate etchings and designs on its body. A small object projects from the right side. The background of the image is a gradient from dark gray at the top to light gray at the bottom. The object casts a shadow on the surface it's resting on.

Artwork Details

Date
5th–3rd century BCE
Medium
Bronze
Culture
China
Dimensions
468 × 624 px
Public Domain
Yes
Museum Record
View original
Palette