Accession Number
1969/2.86

Title
Tripod Cylindrical Vessel

Artist(s)
Chinese

Artist Nationality
Chinese (culture or style)

Object Creation Date
25-220

Medium & Support
earthenware with lead glaze

Dimensions
6 1/2 in x 7 3/4 in (16.5 cm x 19.7 cm)

Credit Line
Museum purchase for the Paul Leroy Grigaut Memorial Collection

Subject matter
A red earthenware lian (奁) or hill-shaped incense burning vessel, missing the lid, with molded designs of Central Asian lions and beasts running through a mountainous landscape. It is similar to examples casted in bronze from the Zhou through Tang dynasties. Burning incense was a common practice during the Han dynasty to expel evil spirits.  

Physical Description
Red earthenware cylindrical vessel on three zoomorphic feet, molded in low relief with hills and running animals, covered in a lead green glaze with iridescence and calcification.

Primary Object Classification
Ceramic

Primary Object Type
incense burner

Additional Object Classification(s)
Ceramic

Collection Area
Asian

Rights
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Keywords
ceramic (material)
ceramics (object genre)
earthenware
grave goods
incense burners
jars
lead glaze
mountains