Artifact of the Week: Chinese Rice Bowl

Archaeologists recovered this Chinese rice bowl from Downtown San Diego. The site housed a working class population during the late Victorian period (c.1880-1915).

In Chinese culture, the crane is venerated as the prince of all feathered creatures and thus has a legendary status. Embodying integrity and peace, it is the second most favored bird symbol after the phoenix.

Date: Post-Contact Period (300 ya – present)
Material Class: Ceramic

Want to learn more? Visit the exhibit Block 112: The Untold Story of San Diego’s Working Class in the 1800s currently on view at the Center.