Chinese Glass Bowls

Bowls, originally created for the purpose of holding foods, have been used by the Chinese for thousands of years. The Chinese made bowls out of mostly bronze or ceramic since the Neolithic times, and used them to serve noodles, rice, porridge, and tea.

Glass production in China began circa the 5th century B.C., but it took another 400 years before the Chinese began to create glass vessels like bowls. Due to the high levels of lead and barium-oxide, the rare Chinese glass bowls were often not transparent and rather jade-like.

Early excavations imply that glass vessels were likely reserved for the wealthy or royal. They have been found in the tombs of royalty, and may have been used in funeral processions.

Quick Facts

• To this date, only two royal tombs have been known to contain glass vessels among their funerary possession. Those are Liu Dao in 128 B.C. and Prince Jeng in 113 B.C.
• The prevalence of heavy metals within Chinese glass bowls yielded beautiful, bright colors
• Unlike Chinese glass eye beads, Chinese glass vessels are predominantly monochrome