Bowl

ClassificationsFurnishings-Serviceware-bowls

Culture Yi

Date20th Century

Made AtSichuan Province, China, Asia

Collection SiteChina, Asia

MediumLacquered leather

Dimensions3 1/8 × 6 7/8 in. (7.9 × 17.5 cm)

Credit LineGift of Erica & Harold Van Pelt

Object number2018.16.1

DescriptionThe Yi tradition of wooden and leather lacquerware dates from up to 1700 years ago. Over time, the artistry developed to involve simple geometric and floral motifs and more complex animal forms, and was used on household service-ware, armor and other objects. The political upheaval of the early and mid 20th Century saw significant changes to the modes of production for this lacquerware. Though Yi lacquerware is still produced by the traditional method of two men using a lathe called a gedde and hand painting the objects with coats of paint, it become an important part of a cultural revitalization plan for the Yi in the 1970s and ‘80s and as a result many Yi lacquerware objects are now factory-made.

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