Han Art and Material Culture

HAN ART AND MATERIAL CULTURE

HIST241 2.4.2

Han Art and Material CulturePrincipal Materials Bronze Ceramics – glazed and gray (unglazed) Jade Lacquerware Wood Stone Paint

Han Bronzes

CeramicsTechnology Technology was already very advanced (e.g., high

heat kilns). Pottery wheels became more widely used. Glazes further developed.

Design Relief Paint Glaze Sculpture

Clockwise from the left: painted ceramic pot; close up of relief detail of dragon and phoenix on first pot; painted earthenware tripod pot

Ceramic Pots

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Celadon pot with mountain-shaped lid and animal designs

Ceramic Pots

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Western Han painted pots decorated with acrobats

Ceramic Pots

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Left: A footed Western Han white ceramic wine warmer with animal-head figurines decorating its lidRight: A Western Han glazed pottery ding with taotie-faced with door-knocker design

Ceramic Pots

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Left: painted sculpturesRight: Western Han tomb statuette of cavalryman and horse

Ceramic Figurines

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Left: laughing womanRight: Western Han tomb figurines of servants

Ceramic Figurines

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Left: Eastern Han green-glazed pottery dogRight: Eastern Han candelabra decorated with animal figurines

Ceramic animal figurines

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Funerary ArtTombs of the elite Vaults of brick or stone Often had multiple rooms Elaborately decorated

Grave goods, or items buried with the dead) Items used by the deceased during his/her lifetime Items created specifically for interment, often in

miniature

Tombs and grave goods replicated the world of the living for the dead.

Textiles

Jade Burial Suits

Jade and LacquerwareJade Luxury material, only used by the elite Used mainly for ceremonial goods and

accessories

Lacquerware Also used only by the elite Used for both decorative and everyday

items

Jade

Lacquerware

Lacquerware

ArchitectureBuilding Materials Mostly wood and rammed earth Some brick and stone Ceramic roof tiles

Because most buildings were made of wood, there are few remnants of Han dynasty architecture. Much of what we know is based on tomb miniatures, which appear to be replicas of real buildings.

Stone pillar

Tomb model

Han dynasty pottery palace

Tower architecture