Ewer 15th-16th century

This bronze Ewer was created by Rihei. Take a close look at the surface of this vessel. You can almost feel the patinated sheen of the bronze in your fingertips. The handle and lid are cast with dragon motifs, a testament to the skills required to work with molten metal. Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin, a combination that gives it both strength and workability. Consider the amount of labor involved in this object. From the extraction of the raw materials to the forming of the vessel, many hands would have been involved in the production of this object. The dark, lustrous surface is the result of careful polishing and patination, skills that are passed down through generations of artisans. Ultimately, it is the convergence of material, process, and cultural meaning that elevates this ewer from a mere object to a work of art.