Page 82 - Deydier UNDERSTANDING CHINESE ARCHAIC BRONZES

Shu Seidoki Soran Ichi) 殷周時代青銅器の研究: 殷周青銅器綜覧 (一)
圖版, – Conspectus of Yin and Zhou Bronzes, Tokyo 1984, in Volume 1
part 2, on p. 79 no. 80 – 81, and p. 80 no. 83 (See photo on page 159).

The yan 甗 was used up to the end of the Han 漢 dynasty (206 B.C. –
24 A.D.). During this period, its legs disappear and the lower part of the
vessel is cast in the shape of a bowl with a flat bottom.

Yi 匜

The name yi 匜 is used to refer to a group of pouring vessels of various
forms, with or without feet, with round or flat bodies, semi-circular
or flat handles and large spouts, often in the form of animal heads or
stylized animals.

According to the Zuozhuan 左傳 or Commentary of Zuo, which was
composed before 389 B.C. and is one of China’s earliest works of
narrative history, the yi 匜 was used for the ceremonial washing of
hands during certain rituals.

Some experts also believe that the yi 匜 was used to pour water into the
pan 盤 basin.

The yi 匜, whose form was somewhat inspired by the body of the vessel
gong 觥, first appears at the end of the Western Zhou 西周, around the
8 century B.C. and disappears towards the 4 century B.C..
th
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Yi, Spring and Autumn period (circa 770 – 476 B.C.)
Height: 15.8 cm – Meiyintang Collection n° 197.
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