ticketsMember | Make a donation

Container with Spiral Decoration

ca. 500 BCE–300 CE
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 244
The flowing spiral covering the surface of this elegant container are among the most prevalent of the geometric motifs that decorate bronze ritual and luxury objects produced in many regions of present-day Thailand from the 4th century B.C. to the 3rd century A.D. Two small loops and remnants of a third for suspending the container are found on the upper corners of the base. The large size of the cover implies that it may have stored liquid for drinking but another function, such as holding darts, is also possible.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Container with Spiral Decoration
  • Period: Late period
  • Date: ca. 500 BCE–300 CE
  • Culture: Thailand (Ban Chiang)
  • Medium: Bronze
  • Dimensions: H. 8 7/8 in. (22.5 cm)
  • Classification: Metalwork
  • Credit Line: Samuel Eilenberg Collection, Bequest of Samuel Eilenberg, 1998
  • Object Number: 2000.284.53
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Hook(?) with Human or Monkey, Bronze, Thailand (Ban Chiang)
Hook(?) with Human or Monkey
Thailand (Ban Chiang)
ca. 300 BCE–200 CE
Elephant Bell with Miniature Elephant, Bronze, Thailand (Ban Chiang)
Elephant Bell with Miniature Elephant
Thailand (Ban Chiang)
ca. 300 BCE–200 CE
Bell, Bronze, Thailand (Ban Chiang)
Bell
Thailand (Ban Chiang)
ca. 300 BCE–200 CE
Large Bell, Bronze, Thailand (Ban Chiang)
Large Bell
Thailand (Ban Chiang)
ca. 300 BCE–200 CE
Torque of Twisted Wire, Bronze, Thailand (Ban Chiang)
Torque of Twisted Wire
Thailand (Ban Chiang)
ca. 300 BCE–200 CE

Related Content

Timeline of Art History

Entries from The Met's art encyclopedia.

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.