蟠螭紋鑑 Jian Basin with Coiled Chi-Dragon Pattern

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The jian basin with coiled chi-dragon pattern (R020022) was discovered as a pair with R18525 from Tomb 60, Liulige, Hui County, Henan Province. Bronze vessels of the jian type first appeared during the Spring and Autumn period. Alongside their use in rituals, these basins were employed for other purposes, such as a washbasin for grooming, a container for ice cubes, and as a means of holding water so as to create a reflection for use as a mirror (before bronze mirrors were invented). Typically, the jians that were used to hold ice cubes and cool down food are square in shape. However, this bronze vessel has apparent water marks on the inside, indicating it was used to hold liquid. The accompanying vessels pan, he, lei, pen and zhou which are all used for grooming purposes, suggest this jian was likely a washbasin.

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