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Five Oxen Sculpture
Image courtesy of the Barack Obama Presidential Library
Five Oxen Sculpture
Image courtesy of the Barack Obama Presidential Library

Five Oxen Sculpture

Artifact SeriesHead of State Gifts
Artifact IDFO.109899.a-b
Object Type Sculpture
Gifter
Intended Recipient (American, 1961)
Medium metal (bronze), textile
DimensionsOverall - 3D (.a) H 12 in x W 60 7/8 in x D 14 7/8 in (30.5 cm x 154.6 cm x 37.8 cm )
 Overall - 3D (.a-b) H 13 3/8 in x W 62 in x D 14 7/8 in (34 cm x 157.5 cm x 37.8 cm )
Physical DescriptionA bronze sculpture (.a) of five oxen standing atop a raised bronze base. The oxen are all looking in different directions and are based on the "Five Oxen" handscroll painting by Han Huang, a prime minister during the Tang Dynasty. There is a plaque describing the "Five Oxen" handscroll painting and its cultural importance at the bottom left corner of the base, with half of the plaque written in English and half in Chinese. Along the edges of the sculpture's base are dragon and flower motiffs, and on the footed base there is a swirling wave-like design. The lid (.b) is bronze and has a dragon design at the center of each long side, oxen on the left and right side of the top, and traditional Chinese designs throughout. Each short side of the lid has a handle and the interior is lined with red fabric.
Historical NoteReceived on the occasion of a state visit to the White House by President Xi Jinping and First Lady Peng Liyuan of China in September 2015.
Custodial History / ProvenanceThe item was a gift from a foreign official to President Barack Obama during the Obama administration. It was received through the Executive Office of the President and maintained there until its transfer to the National Archives in January 2017 for deposit with the Obama Presidential Library.Additional Details
National Archives Catalog CollectionBarack Obama Artifact Collection (National Archives Identifier 63542091)
National Archives Catalog SeriesGifts of State (National Archives Identifier 66540613)
Use Restriction StatusRestricted - Possibly
Use Restriction NoteCopyright or other proprietary rights may be held by individuals or entities other than the Barack Obama Presidential Library. The Barack Obama Presidential Library does not warrant that the use of materials will not infringe on the rights of third parties holding the rights to these works, or make any representations or warranties with respect to the application or terms of any international agreement, treaty, or protections that may apply. It is your responsibility to determine and satisfy any copyright or other use restrictions. Pertinent regulations can be found at 36 C.F.R 1254.62
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