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The Han Dynasty, like the Zhou before it, is
divided into two distinct periods, the Western
Han (206 B.C.-9 A.D.) and the Eastern Han (23-
220 A.D.) with a brief interlude. Towards the
end of the Western period, a series of weak
emperors ruled the throne, controlled from
behind the scenes by Wang Mang and Huo
Guang, both relatives of empresses. They both
exerted enormous influence over the
government and when the last emperor suddenly
passed away, Mang became ruling advisor,
seizing this opportunity to declare his own
Dynasty, the Xin, or “New.” However, another
popular uprising began joined by the members
of the Liu clan, the family that ruled the Han
Dynasty, the Xin came to a quick end and the
Eastern Han was established in its place with its
capital at Loyang (Chang’an, the capital of the
Western Han, was completely destroyed).
However, even as Chinese influence spread
across Southeastern Asia into new lands, the
Eastern Han Dynasty was unable to recreate the
glories of the Western Period. In fact, this period
can be characterized by a bitter power struggle
amongst a group of five consortial clans. These
families sought to control the young, weak
emperors with their court influence. Yet, as the
emperors became distrustful of the rising power
of the clans, they relied upon their eunuchs to
defend them, often eliminating entire families at
a time. During the Western Han, the Emperor
was viewed as the center of the universe.
However, this philosophy slowly disintegrated
under the weak, vulnerable rulers of the Eastern
Han, leading many scholars and officials to
abandon the court. Eventually, the power of the
Han would completely erode, ending with its
dissolution and the beginning of the period
known as the “Three Kingdoms.”
During the Han Dynasty, sculptural effigies of
animals were often interred in the tombs of elite
members of the social hierarchy. Created in all
media, these sculptures accompanied the spirit
of the deceased into the afterlife. This glazed
sculpture of an ox is exceptional for two reasons.
While similar examples exist, many were found
harnessed to wagons and carts and were meant
to function as beasts of burden. However, this
sculpture was discovered buried as part of a
herd, contained inside a pen with other
domesticated animals, suggesting that this
animal served as food. Besides it function, this
sculpture is also remarkable for its gorgeous
green glaze that has acquired a beautiful, soft
iridescent patina over the ages. Commonly
referred to as “silver frost,” this iridescence is the
result of wet and dry periods in a tomb whereby
the clay dissolves the lead glaze and redeposits
it on the surface, where it hardens. A testament
of age, this patina is also admired by collectors
for its charming aesthetic qualities, similar in
effect to mother of pearl. During the Han era,
the Chinese believed that the afterlife was a
continuation of our earthly existence. Thus,
logically, as we require food to nourish our
bodies on earth, so too will we require food to
nourish our souls in the afterlife. Created to
serve as food for the afterlife, this work is more
than a mere sculpture; it is a gorgeous memorial
to the religious and philosophical beliefs of the
Han Dynasty. This cow effigy has served its
eternal purpose well. Today, it continues to
nourish our souls with its beauty and grace.
- (H.1006)
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