Accession Number1993/1.77.1-2
TitleLarge covered hu (wine storage jar) with molded taotie masks and painted designs of stylized clouds and Mount Penglai
Artist(s)ChineseArtist NationalityChinese (culture or style)Object Creation Date1st century BCEMedium & Supportgrey earthenware with polychrome pigmentsDimensions 22 1/16 in. x 13 in. x 9 13/16 in. ( 56 cm x 33 cm x 25 cm )
Credit LineGift of Domino's Pizza, Inc.Label copyThis hu-shaped mortuary jar is unglazed and richly hand-decorated red pigments and white slip (liquid clay) against a black pigment ground, unlike the other two mortuary jars in this case, which are glazed. The swirling painted patterns are taken from textile design, an emergent art form in Han times. The peaks of Mount Penglai, the Daoist abode of immortality, appear above flowing bands of stylized clouds.
Lacquer vessels of this shape and decoration have been found in Han tombs throughout China, particularly in the south and west. These findings point to the strong connections between pottery, lacquer, bronze, and textile art in ancient China. This integration of diverse art mediums would characterize Chinese imperial art down through the centuries.
(Label for UMMA Chinese Gallery Opening Rotation, March 2009)
Subject mattermystical cloud of Taoist inspiration, once part of a set of food and wine vessels furnished the tombs of the well-to-do families as grave goods
Physical Descriptiongreyware jar with lid, pained with polychrome mystic cloud design, flared neck, globular body, tall foot
Primary Object Classification Ceramic Primary Object Typefunerary jarAdditional Object Classification(s)Ritual ObjectCollection AreaAsianRightsIf you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit
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Keywords
funerary art
jars
wine bottles