This bronze fang hu is notable for its elegant simplicity. Such a vessel would have functioned as a ritual container for the storage and transportation of sumptuous wines.  More »

This bronze fang hu is notable for its elegant simplicity. Such a vessel would have functioned as a ritual container for the storage and transportation of sumptuous wines. This refined fang hu is essentially unadorned, save for two decorative Tao Tieh mask handles that have been attached to the swelling body. These stylized animals represent a type of dragon found in Chinese mythology. Their abstracted representation demonstrates, as well as the incised decorative patterns that adorn them, the influence of previous styles such as the Zhou Dynasty. A lid caps this fang hu, embellished with four abstract “s”-shaped projections that appear to be highly stylized birds. Over the ages, the bronze has acquired a fabulous patina of green hues, adding both delightful colors and pleasing textures to this otherwise sparsely adorned vessel. Such a work, forged from bronze, would have been the treasured possession of an elite member of the social hierarchy. Quite simply, only a court nobility of wealthy merchants could afford such a luxury. Although this vessel would have served as a wine container in life, it was found discovered buried in a tomb. A symbol for the bountiful pleasures of life, for drinking and feasting, this fang hu would have represented the joys to be experienced in the afterlife and the feasts and celebrations yet to come. Today, this vessel is not only a gorgeous work of art, treasured for its history and rarity; but also a stunning reminder of the richness and luxury of the Han Dynasty, both in this world and the next. - (H.818)   « Less

This square-shaped bronze fang fang hu is notable for its elegant simplicity. Such a vessel would have functioned as a ritual container for the storage and transportation of  More »

This square-shaped bronze fang fang hu is notable for its elegant simplicity. Such a vessel would have functioned as a ritual container for the storage and transportation of sumptuous wines. This refined fang hu is essentially unadorned, save for two decorative Tao Tieh mask handles that have been attached to the swelling body. These stylized animal heads represent a type of dragon found in Chinese mythology. Their abstracted representation, as well as the incised patterns, demonstrates the influence of previous works such as the bronzes of the Zhou Dynasty. A lid caps this fang hu, embellished with four abstract “handles” that appear to be highly stylized bird heads. Over the ages, the bronze has acquired a fabulous patina of alternating turquoise and brown hues, adding both delightful colors and pleasing textures to this otherwise sparsely adorned vessel. Such a work, forged from bronze, would have been the treasured possession of an elite member of the social hierarchy. Quite simply, only court nobility or wealthy merchants could afford such a luxury. Although this vessel would have functioned as a wine container in life, it was found discovered buried in a tomb. A symbol for the bountiful pleasures of life, for drinking and feasting, this fang hu would have represented the joys to be experienced in the afterlife and the feasts and celebrations yet to come. Today, this vessel is not only a gorgeous work of art, treasured for its history and rarity; but also a stunning reminder of the richness and luxury of the Han Dynasty, both in this world and the next. - (H.854)   « Less

This square-shaped bronze fang hu is notable for its elegant simplicity. Such a vessel would have functioned as a ritual container for the storage and transportation of  More »

This square-shaped bronze fang hu is notable for its elegant simplicity. Such a vessel would have functioned as a ritual container for the storage and transportation of sumptuous wines. This refined fang hu is essentially unadorned, save for two decorative Tao Tieh mask handles that have been attached to the swelling body of the hu. These stylized animal heads represent a type of dragon found in Chinese mythology. Their abstracted representation, as well as the incised patterns, demonstrates the influence of previous works such as the bronzes of the Zhou Dynasty. A lid caps this fang hu, embellished with four abstract “handles” that appear to be highly stylized bird heads. Over the ages, the bronze has acquired a fabulous patina of alternating turquoise and brown hues, adding both delightful colors and pleasing textures to this otherwise sparsely adorned vessel. Such a work, forged from bronze, would have been the treasured possession of an elite member of the social hierarchy. Quite simply, only court nobility or wealthy merchants could afford such a luxury. Although this vessel would have functioned as a wine container in life, it was found discovered buried in a tomb. A symbol for the bountiful pleasures of life, for drinking and feasting, this fang hu would have represented the joys to be experienced in the afterlife and the feasts and celebrations yet to come. Today, this vessel is not only a gorgeous work of art, treasured for its history and rarity; but also a stunning reminder of the richness and luxury of the Han Dynasty, both in this world and the next. - (H.855)   « Less

This slender bronze hu would have once functioned as a container of sumptuous wines two thousand years ago. This refined hu is remarkable for the handle and lid that survive  More »

This slender bronze hu would have once functioned as a container of sumptuous wines two thousand years ago. This refined hu is remarkable for the handle and lid that survive intact, attached to the body by chains. The chains, in turn, are connected to two small Tao Tieh mask handles. These stylized animal heads represent a type of dragon found in Chinese mythology. The lid has also been adorned with a stylized floral motif rendered in low relief. These abstracted representations demonstrate the influence of previous styles, such as the Zhou Dynasty, on the art of the Han. A series of ringed handles also hang from the lower half of the body, just above the rim. However, these handles were likely purely decorative; although it is possible that a rope could have been wound between them to assist in the transportation of the precious wines contained within. Over the ages, the bronze has acquired a fabulous patina of alternating green and burgundy hues, adding both delightful colors and pleasing textures to the work. Forged from bronze, this hu would have been the treasured possession of an elite member of the Han Dynasty social hierarchy. Quite simply, only a court nobility of wealthy merchants could afford such a luxury. Although this vessel would have functioned as a wine container in life, it was found discovered buried in a tomb. A symbol for the bountiful pleasures of life, for drinking and feasting, this hu would have represented the joys to be experienced in the afterlife and the feasts and celebrations yet to come. Today, this vessel is not only a gorgeous work of art, treasured for its history and rarity; but also a stunning reminder of the richness and luxury of the Han Dynasty, both in this world and the next - (H.861)   « Less

This long-necked bronze hu is notable for its elegant simplicity. Such a vessel would have functioned as a container of sumptuous wines. This refined hu is essentially  More »

This long-necked bronze hu is notable for its elegant simplicity. Such a vessel would have functioned as a container of sumptuous wines. This refined hu is essentially unadorned, save for two decorative Tao Tieh mask handles that have been attached to the shoulder of the swollen belly. These stylized animal heads represent a type of dragon found in Chinese mythology. Their abstracted representation demonstrates the influence of previous styles, such as the Zhou Dynasty, on the art of the Han. Originally, a lid would have capped this hu; however, it has long since vanished. Over the ages, the bronze has acquired a fabulous patina of alternating green and burgundy hues, adding both delightful colors and pleasing textures to the work. Forged from bronze, this hu would have been the treasured possession of an elite member of the Han Dynasty social hierarchy. Quite simply, only a court nobility of wealthy merchants could afford such a luxury. Although this vessel would have functioned as a wine container in life, it was found discovered buried in a tomb. A symbol for the bountiful pleasures of life, for drinking and feasting, this hu would have represented the joys to be experienced in the afterlife and the feasts and celebrations yet to come. Today, this vessel is not only a gorgeous work of art, treasured for its history and rarity; but also a stunning reminder of the richness and luxury of the Han Dynasty, both in this world and the next - (H.862)   « Less

Under the wise rulers of the Han Dynasty, science and technology made remarkable strides; paper, the compass, and the seismograph were invented; and steel was manufactured.  More »

Under the wise rulers of the Han Dynasty, science and technology made remarkable strides; paper, the compass, and the seismograph were invented; and steel was manufactured. The empire expanded into southern China, northern Vietnam and parts of Korea, and forged trade routes through Central Asia to India and Persia. Confucianism was reinterpreted and adopted as the official state ideology, and a national university was established for the training of Confucian officials. The political unity of the Qin was preserved, but sanctioned by Confucianism so that Chinese of today still look back on this epoch with pride and call themselves "men of Han." Diversity developed within the culture: native and foreign, Confucian and Taoist, courtly and popular.A gorgeous green patina encrusted to the surface of the bronze attests to the age of this vessel. The elegant shape of the body reveals the metalwork mastery of Han smiths. The defined lip of the vessel and the two circular handles complement the forms of the oval body. This bowl may have been used for ritual offering in ancestor worship ceremonies. Perhaps, it functioned secularly for dispensing sauces or rice at Imperial banquets. A little bronze spoon is included, and surely would have used to politely serve the sauce or rice that once filled the bowl. Interestingly, spoons in China still retail the same general shape as this example. Considering the rarity and value of bronze during the Han era, this vessel was clearly a prized possession reserved for the Imperial elite or their close intimates. This ancient treasure has only become more splendid and more precious with age. - (H.863)   « Less

Under the wise rulers of the Han Dynasty, science and technology made remarkable strides; paper, the compass, and the seismograph were invented; and steel was manufactured.  More »

Under the wise rulers of the Han Dynasty, science and technology made remarkable strides; paper, the compass, and the seismograph were invented; and steel was manufactured. The empire expanded into southern China, northern Vietnam and parts of Korea, and forged trade routes through Central Asia to India and Persia. Confucianism was reinterpreted and adopted as the official state ideology, and a national university was established for the training of Confucian officials. The political unity of the Qin was preserved, but sanctioned by Confucianism so that Chinese of today still look back on this epoch with pride and call themselves "men of Han." Diversity developed within the culture: native and foreign, Confucian and Taoist, courtly and popular.A gorgeous green patina encrusted to the surface of the bronze attests to the age of this vessel. The elegant shape of the body reveals the metalwork mastery of Han smiths. The flaring lip of the vessel and the two circular handles complement the forms of the oval body. This bowl may have been used for ritual offering in ancestor worship ceremonies. Perhaps, it functioned secularly for dispensing sauces or rice at Imperial banquets. A little bronze spoon is included, and surely would have used to politely serve the sauce or rice that once filled the bowl. Interestingly, spoons in China still retail the same general shape as this example. Considering the rarity and value of bronze during the Han era, this vessel was clearly a prized possession reserved for the Imperial elite or their close intimates. This ancient treasure has only become more splendid and more precious with age. - (H.864)   « Less

The angular contours of this vessel distinguish it from other vessels used to hold liquids for ceremonial use. Its large voluminous shape with a protruding belly and tapered  More »

The angular contours of this vessel distinguish it from other vessels used to hold liquids for ceremonial use. Its large voluminous shape with a protruding belly and tapered neck make it suitable for storage as well. As opposed to the common hu, this vessel comes equipped with a decorative lid mounted with highly stylized “s”-shaped images of animals, possibly of a snake or swan. This refined fang hu is essentially unadorned, save for two decorative Tao Tieh mask handles that have been attached to the swelling body. These stylized animals represent a type of dragon found in Chinese mythology. Their abstracted representation demonstrates, as well as the incised patterns, the influence of previous styles such as the Zhou Dynasty. Over the ages, the bronze has acquired a fabulous patina of green hues, adding both delightful colors and pleasing textures to this otherwise sparsely adorned vessel. The Han Dynasty is known as the cultural blossoming period in Chinese history. Common belief held that if the way of the Sages was restored, then social order and moral uprightness of men could be achieved. Bronze vessels served an important role in the world of rites and ritual as well as in the realm of men who longed for expensive bronze ware to demonstrate their power and prestige. Although this vessel would have served as a wine container in life, it was found discovered buried in a tomb. A symbol for the bountiful pleasures of life, for drinking and feasting, this fang hu would have represented the joys to be experienced in the afterlife and the feasts and celebrations yet to come. Today, this vessel is not only a gorgeous work of art, treasured for its history and rarity; but also a stunning reminder of the richness and luxury of the Han Dynasty, both in this world and the next. - (H.857)   « Less

The Han Dynasty was a key period of major importance in the development of Chinese ceramics, for among other innovations, glazed wares were advanced to a new level of  More »

The Han Dynasty was a key period of major importance in the development of Chinese ceramics, for among other innovations, glazed wares were advanced to a new level of sophistication. Primarily, glazed wares took the form of aristocratic vessels made in imitation of bronzes whose decorative values far outweighed their practical significance. However, ceramic vessels entered more and more largely into everyday life and took the form of practical vessels for everyday use.Given its clear and shiny glaze, this brownish-green glazed pottery ewer is crafted in the style of the Eastern Han Dynasty. In a modified version of a cocoon-shaped flask Hu, this vessel has a horizontally oval-shaped belly with animal patterns on its upper side, a slightly flared rim at the mouth, and a tapered base. Taotie mask designs adorn both sides of the vessels as a scene of dragons moving across clouds is depicted around its body.This vessel is representative of the trend in Eastern Han ceramics to express the joy that people of the time took in their way of life, as well as their concern for life itself. - (H.513)   « Less

The Han Dynasty was a key period of major importance in the development of Chinese ceramics, for among other innovations, glazed wares were advanced to a new level of  More »

The Han Dynasty was a key period of major importance in the development of Chinese ceramics, for among other innovations, glazed wares were advanced to a new level of sophistication. Primarily, glazed wares took the form of aristocratic vessels made in imitation of bronzes whose decorative values far outweighed their practical significance. However, ceramic vessels entered more and more largely into everyday life and took the form of practical vessels for everyday use.Given its clear and shiny glaze, this brownish-green glazed pottery ewer is crafted in the style of the Eastern Han Dynasty. In a modified version of a cocoon-shaped flask Hu, this vessel has a horizontally oval-shaped belly with animal patterns on its upper side, a slightly flared rim at the mouth, and a tapered base. Taotie mask designs adorn both sides of the vessels as a scene of dragons moving across clouds is depicted around its body.This vessel is representative of the trend in Eastern Han ceramics to express the joy that people of the time took in their way of life, as well as their concern for life itself. - (H.514)   « Less