Square-Sectioned Jar (Fanghu)
Western Han dynasty, 206 BCE–9 CE
China
China
The squared shape and vibrantly painted decoration of this jar imitates those of bronze and lacquer vessels. Its images of monster-mask ring handles duplicate, in larger scale, functional fittings in bronze. When excavated from Han tombs, some clay jars of this type were found to contain grain offerings provided for the deceased as part of the funerary rites.
Gray earthenware with polychrome pigments