Tomb tripodal vessel of the type lien, with cover

Unglazed pottery. Hard gray pottery with decorations incised and in relief; the three feet in the form of crouching bears; inscription of seven characters written in red paint around body of vessel.

Historical period(s)
Eastern Han dynasty, early 1st-early 3rd century
Medium
Earthenware with copper-green lead-silicate glaze
Dimensions
H x W: 28 x 33.2 cm (11 x 13 1/16 in)
Geography
China
Credit Line
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art
Accession Number
F1950.4a-b
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Ceramic, Vessel
Type

Tomb vessel (lien)

Keywords
China, earthenware, Eastern Han dynasty (25 - 220)
Provenance
Provenance research underway.
Description

Unglazed pottery. Hard gray pottery with decorations incised and in relief; the three feet in the form of crouching bears; inscription of seven characters written in red paint around body of vessel.

Published References
  • Oriental Ceramics: The World's Great Collections. 12 vols., Tokyo. vol. 10, pl. 2.
  • Rutherford John Gettens. True and False Vermilion on Early Chinese Ceramics. vol. 6, no. 1, March 1954. p. 27, pl. 2.
  • Rutherford John Gettens. True and False Vermilion on Early Chinese Ceramics. vol. 1, no. 1 Amsterdam. 669, Plate II.
Collection Area(s)
Chinese Art
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
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