Accession Number1993/1.64.1-2
TitleModel of a pigpen
Artist(s)ChineseArtist NationalityChinese (culture or style)Object Creation Date25 CE-220 CEMedium & Supportearthenware with glazeDimensions 10 7/16 in x 9 13/16 in x 9 7/16 in (26.5 cm x 25 cm x 24 cm)
Credit LineGift of Domino's Pizza, Inc.Subject matterBy the Western Han dynasty, basic household bowls, plates, basins, jars, etc. were produced in great quantity, not only for use in daily life, but also specifically for tombs as
mingqi 明器 (literally bright objects), or grave goods, as a way to provide for the deceased. These
mingqi included everything one would need during the afterlife, naturally, these objects reflected daily life during the Han.
Mingqi could include houses, towers, gates, granaries, livestock pens, chicken coops, wells, cooking stoves, storage vessels, dishes, incense burners, lamps and figures such as horses, dogs, anthropomorphic animals, and people such as officials, guardians, servants and entertainers, and more. The number of ceramic
mingqi items in a tomb could reach numbers of a few to several hundred objects.
During the Western Han, it was common for northern potters to create pigsties as
mingqi. By the Eastern Han, a variety of domesticated livestock in their pens could be found in tombs. This particular model displays a variety of production techniques including wheel throwing and altering, molded parts, and hand sculpting.
Physical DescriptionThis red, earthenware, kidney-shaped pigpen contains one pig below a cylindrical tower shed with a door. It has peaked roof displaying ridges, and it is covered in a green lead glaze with iridescence and calcification.
Primary Object Classification Ceramic Primary Object Typefunerary sculptureAdditional Object Classification(s)SculptureCollection AreaAsianRightsIf you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit
http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.
Keywords
animal housing (farm structures)
architectural models
ceramic (material)
earthenware
grave goods
lead glaze
livestock