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 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.
The yi was part of a gift for the afterlife and 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.
