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Han Dynasty Glazed Jar (HU)

Offered by: J R Richards

Description
Pottery vase of hu shape
China, Eastern Han dynasty, 25 - 220 AD
A pottery vase of baluster shape, the heavily potted body support ed on a flat base, which has three wedge-shaped spurs. The neck is waisted and has a widely flared rim that terminates in a cup-shaped mouth. The body is decorated with bands of ridged lines and is moulded with two mock taotie mask handles. The exterior of the vase, including the base, is covered in a lustrous green glaze, which has gone almost completely silvery iridescent.

The shape of this vase imitates that of a contemporary bronze.[1] The iridescence of the glaze is caused by damp burial soil reacting with the metal content in the glaze, in this case lead. In the catalogue of the Meiyintang collection Krahl states that, during the Han dynasty, tombs were often looted and that expensive materials such as bronze were therefore gradually substituted by cheaper materials, such as pottery. She also points out that the poisonous lead content in the glaze would have made pieces such as this unsuitable for storage of food and drink.[2] A comparable, larger vase, also almost completely covered in an iridescent lead glaze, is in the Meiyintang collection.[3]

More Information

Origin:	China
Period:	Pre 18th Century
Materials:	Clay
Condition:	Good. In excellent condition with no known condition issues
Creation Date:	206 B.C. - 220 A.D.
Styles / Movements:	Asian, Traditional, Ancient Art
Patterns:	Asian/Oriental
Incollect Reference #:	547898

Dimensions

W.	10 in;	H.	12 in;
W.	25.4 cm;	H.	30.48 cm;

Message from Seller:

I became interested in the Ceramic Arts; specifically Ancient Chinese Pottery, when my brother Marc; also an art dealer, introduced it to me over 20 years ago. Since then I traveled throughout Asia; including Hong Kong, Japan, and Korea, in search for those special pieces that appeal to the discerning collector, as well as the Designer Market.