Han dynasty items, dating ca. 206 BCE-220 CE. The military figures were placed in the tomb to protect the deceased. They are depicted in leather tunics and carrying weapons. Note the shape of the bronze arrowheads, as they are pyramid form rather than of a flattened triangular shape.
Category: Chinese
Soldiers on warhorses
The horses and the riders are ready for battle, and the animals show us how horses would have been adorned before a battle. The horses are depicted as nearly celestial, with oversized chests and very developed bodies atop strong legs that could have carried their riders safely into and out of battle.
Rose Canton
Rose Canton serving dish. Formed vessel in traditional “shrimp dish” style. Heavily gilded handle. Qing dynasty, 19th century.
5,000 years of Chinese art and history, with pieces that have been exhibited in museums nationwide
Dog, Han Dynasty 206 BCE-220 CE, Glazed earthenware, 15.5 x 18 x 14.5 inches. During the Han dynasty, dogs of various types were frequently placed in tombs. The most common was a mastiff-type animal usually shown standing on all four legs. This long-necked dog is unusual in both color and design. Although seated with paws…
Ming Vase
The Ming vase possesses a very rare color combination, known as Fa Hua, applied to a shape that is very difficult to execute well and is known as a mei ping. Mei ping vases were made to hold the first blossoms of spring, and were typically produced with a glaze of celadon or decorated in…
Rose Medallion Tazza
The tazza was produced for a marriage. It supports the twin fish motif, of importance to Asians, yet the colors and other design elements are typical of items made for export to Western consumers. This combination of colors and motifs makes this specimen quite unusual, and potentially a special order for the marrying couple.
Rose Medallion Garden Barrel
The garden barrel would have provided a seat for contemplation, with the cool porcelain making the garden pleasurable on a hot day.
Ceremonial bronze offering dish or censer is Zhou
Dynasty, 1046 –256 BCE. This dish was made during the time when humans and animals were sacrificed and placed in tombs, with offering items such as this bronze dish. Stylized demon faces on the handles provide extra security for the deceased. Bronze sword, made ca. 300 BCE. Looking closely at the handle/hilt, it is possible…
Wei dynasty (386-556 CE) soldier.
This figure is depicted in battle dress, and poses with a full body shield. The task of this statue would have been to defend and protect the deceased in the afterlife.
From the Collections’ very large grouping of Chinese materials are these neolithic vessels,
all dating to approximately 2500 BCE. The larger jars were sometimes buried in the ground, up to their beginning of the decoration, to give them stability. This is a long-necked ewer, perhaps for wine, of the same age. Ceramics from China’s stone age are rare, and important to our understanding of Chinese culture, as it…