HAN ART AND MATERIAL CULTURE HIST

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

Han Bronzes

Ceramics Technology 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

Celadon pot with mountain-shaped lid and animal designs Ceramic Pots

Western Han painted pots decorated with acrobats Ceramic Pots

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

Left: painted sculptures Right: Western Han tomb statuette of cavalryman and horse Ceramic Figurines

Left: laughing woman Right: Western Han tomb figurines of servants Ceramic Figurines

Left: Eastern Han green-glazed pottery dog Right: Eastern Han candelabra decorated with animal figurines Ceramic animal figurines

Funerary Art Tombs 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 Lacquerware Jade 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

Architecture Building 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