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Drinking Horn, 20th Century
Miao or Yao culture; China
Buffalo horn, paint and fiber; 5 × 12 …
Drinking Horn
Drinking Horn, 20th Century
Miao or Yao culture; China
Buffalo horn, paint and fiber; 5 × 12 …
Drinking Horn, 20th Century Miao or Yao culture; China Buffalo horn, paint and fiber; 5 × 12 1/2 × 2 in. 2017.11.24 Gift of Anne and Long Shung Shih

Drinking Horn

ClassificationsFurnishings-Serviceware-drinking vessels
Culture Miao
Culture Yao
Date20th Century
Made AtChina, Asia
MediumBuffalo horn, paint and fiber
DimensionsWithout Tassel: 5 × 12 1/2 × 2 in. (12.7 × 31.8 × 5.1 cm)
With Tassel: 5 × 15 × 2 in. (12.7 × 38.1 × 5.1 cm)
Credit LineGift of Anne and Long Shung Shih
Object number2017.11.24
DescriptionThis polychrome, lacquered horn was used as a wine horn during Miao and Yao festivals and celebrations like weddings. Common practice was for two of these horns to hang by the doorway of a host’s home. When a guest entered, both the host and the guest would each drink a horn of rice wine. These horns were most often made from water buffalo horn and then either carved or painted, but sometimes they were instead made from silver using the traditional techniques. The designs are commonly sectioned as seen here. Plants, the dragon and the phoenix are all characteristic Miao motifs, along with scenes of Miao life seen near the mouth of the horn.
On View
Not on view
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