2012.91.37, stoneware jar; Western (early) Han dynasty (206 B.C.–A.D.24)
Eason Eige Collection; photo by B. Bernard.
2012.91.37, stoneware jar; Western (early) Han dynasty
(206 B.C.–A.D.24)
Eason Eige Collection; photo by B. Bernard.
The cocoon shape (excluding the neck and foot) of this Western Han jar may be more obvious in this side view. The jar measures 12 inches (30 cm) tall and 14 inches (36 cm) across.
In the phrase "Western Han," the word "Western" does not
refer directly to a direction but to the earlier part of the Han period.
A very similar unpainted cocoon jar, from the same period, is shown below.
2012.91.38, stoneware jar; Western (early) Han dynasty (206 B.C.–A.D.24)
Eason Eige Collection; photo by B. Bernard.
Second view
The second cocoon jar is smaller, 8 inches (20 cm) tall and 9 inches (23
cm) across. To see a third example that is painted, on a different page of this
online exhibit, click
here. As we explain
on that page, by Han times the silk industry was a source of wealth and the
cocoon shape of these two vessels had come to symbolize good fortune.
See source code for photo credits and copyright information. Page last revised on September 18, 2015. Please report problems to toh@unm.edu
