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Chinese Art :
Han Glazed Vessels : Eastern Han Green-Glazed Terracotta Hu
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Eastern Han Green-Glazed Terracotta Hu - H.602
Origin: China
Circa: 25
AD
to 220
AD
Dimensions:
7" (17.8cm) high
Collection: Chinese
Medium: Glazed Terracotta
Additional Information: SOLD
$3,000.00
Location: United States
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| Description |
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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.”
Green and brown glaze vessels of the Han
Dynasty are generally based on bronze
predecessors but feature distinctive variations
that are quite pleasing. This small green-glazed
hu is notable for its elegant simplicity. Three
parallel bands decorate the surface of the
exterior at the join of the neck and the shoulder
and at the widest swelling of the body. These
bands serve to divide the vessels into segments
that create a nice visual flow to the piece. The
mouth is emphasized with a gently flaring rim,
offsetting the low base upon which the vessel
rests. The gorgeous green glaze recalls similar
works in bronze, and the glaze 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.
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.602)
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