Bronze Yi
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- Origin
- China
- Period
- Han Dynasty, 206 BC - 220 AD
- Material
- Bronze
- Height
- 5 cm
- Width
- 8 cm
- Depth
- 15 cm
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Description
This bronze water vessel has a simple shape, standing on three feet. The handle has an animal mask on top. The yi is covered in a wonderful blue and green patina that enhances the beauty of the yi. The yi was part of a gift for the afterlife; it was discovered inside a tomb. High-ranking persons were buried with various everyday objects; it was believed that life after death was a continuation of the present life, and therefore the deceased was provided with all the objects necessary to continue living after death.
The yi was used for the pouring of water. This form of yi, with a rounded bottom, was introduced during the Western Zhou Dynasty, reaching its peak in production in the Eastern Zhou period.
