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
SI Usage Statement

Usage Conditions Apply

There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page.

The information presented on this website may be revised and updated at any time as ongoing research progresses or as otherwise warranted. Pending any such revisions and updates, information on this site may be incomplete or inaccurate or may contain typographical errors. Neither the Smithsonian nor its regents, officers, employees, or agents make any representations about the accuracy, reliability, completeness, or timeliness of the information on the site. Use this site and the information provided on it subject to your own judgment. The Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery welcome information that would augment or clarify the ownership history of objects in their collections.