Rare Large Chinese Han Dynasty Glazed Granary with Cover

This large and impressive pottery vessel was made some 2,000 years ago during the latter part of the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8), the short-lived Xin Dynasty (AD 9 - 25) or the early Eastern Han Dynasty (AD 25 - 220). It is very similar to other large amber-glazed granaries excavated from a tomb in Xi'an dated to the Xin Dynasty (AD 9 - 25).

This vessel is a granary and its top part represents a two-tiered tiled roof. It is made from a red pottery and coated in an amber glaze that is quite thin in places. Where the glaze is at its thickest and most glossy it has acquired a golden iridescence, a reaction of the glaze to long exposure to moisture. The wide body, decorated with several deeply incised bands, swells out slightly and then tapers in towards its base (most known Han Dynasty pottery granary jars have straight sides). It stands on three sturdy feet that have been luted to the body. Unusually, the small pottery cover has survived, albeit with a large chip to one side. The cover is highly decorated with finely moulded intricate scrolling patterns.

This is a large and substantial vessel with a height of 36.5 cm and diameter of 26.5 cm. It is in exceptional condition. The glaze where thin has flaked from the surface a little in places and there are a few minor chips to the edge. Although not at all obvious, close inspection does show that one foot has been re-stuck apparently where it became unattached due to poor luting during manufacture; a very clean and insignificant repair.

This is one of our collection of glazed Han Dynasty granary jars that we are selling separately (see last image).

For reference: similar examples are illustrated and described in the fine Southeast Asian Ceramic Society book "Spirit of Han".

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