Artwork Page for Jar (Hu)

Details / Information for Jar (Hu)

Jar (Hu)

202 BCE–9 CE

China, probably Henan province, Western Han dynasty

(206 BCE–8 CE)
Medium
earthenware with slip and painted decoration
Measurements
Overall: 48.2 cm (19 in.)
Credit Line
The Severance and Greta Millikin Purchase Fund 1989.15
Public Domain
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Location
241B Arts of Ancient China
Print
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Did You Know?

This earthenware wine jar's shape mimics costly bronzes, but the handles have rings that are fixed to the surface of the pot, rendering them useless.

Description

Instead of depicting a real landscape, the artist focused on the rhythmic forces of nature and the movement of energy, using the scrolling form as a symbol common to all changes in nature: cloud vapors, waves, and mountains alike. Here a dragon hovers among sweeping scrolls.
A dark gray ceramic vessel features a rounded body and tall flaring neck, standing on a circular base. Painted serpentine dragons weave through swirling clouds in red, white, and yellow across the body. Red and white zigzag bands encircle the rim and foot. On the shoulder, a single ring handle protrudes. The surface is worn, the vibrant patterns sweeping dynamically around the dark exterior.

Jar (Hu)

202 BCE–9 CE

China, probably Henan province, Western Han dynasty (206 BCE–8 CE)

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