Magnificent Sancai Glazed Hand-Painted Pottery Funerary Urn With Foo Dog Finial

Details

Description

This exceptionally well-preserved Chinese pottery funerary urn dates to the Han or Six Dynasties period (circa 2nd-6th century AD) and … Read more This exceptionally well-preserved Chinese pottery funerary urn dates to the Han or Six Dynasties period (circa 2nd-6th century AD) and is a superb example of early earthenware artistry. The elegant, tall vessel features an oviform body resting on a gently flared base.
The urn is decorated with Sancai (three-color) glaze accents—primarily rich ochre, dark brown, and moss green—applied over a creamy white glaze. The surface is adorned with intricate hand-painted and relief-molded figures, including mythological creatures, lively human figures (possibly celestial attendants or dancers), and decorative elements like masks and handles.
Crowning the piece is a distinctive lid topped by a highly detailed Foo Dog (or guardian lion) finial, rendered in expressive, multi-colored glazes. This finial, symbolizing protection and power, perfectly complements the vessel's impressive scale and historical significance. See less