Chinese Ceramic Hu Jar with Green Glaze Han Dynasty

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A large ceramic storage jar in "Hu" shape from Eastern Han Dynasty of China (25-220AD). The classic shaped vessel with … Read more A large ceramic storage jar in "Hu" shape from Eastern Han Dynasty of China (25-220AD). The classic shaped vessel with swell shoulder and generous body is covered in a dark green glaze in its entire exterior and a clear glaze inside. There is a molded decorative band around the shoulder that depicts mythical beasts, mottled due to the age but still discernible. On the mouth rim, here are small rounded ornamental protrusions. This type of Hu jar was made both in ceramic and bronze during Han dynasty and were used to store liquor such as wine or grains. The ceramic jars with the lead green glaze were used for funeral ceremonies as offerings to the deceases for their afterlife. Long period of burial underground often eroded the green glaze into a various degree of iridescent silver color, as evident on this piece. The interior was glazed for the purpose of liquid storage. This jar also retains spur marks on the bottom.
The piece was from a US Midwest collection and has an antique export document from Hongkong dated to 1995, assumably when it was purchased.
A similar jar is in the collection of Metropolitan Museum of Art Accession Number: 26.292.83 See less