East Asia, China, Han Dynasty, ca. 206 BCE to 220 CE. A fabulously lifelike, green-glazed ceramic ram, made to be placed into a tomb. The figure stands on sturdy legs that support a muscular body and a proud head, raised to look directly at the viewer. Curved horns, ears, and facial details contribute to the animal's naturalistic appearance. The feet are molded into a full, hollow stand that wraps all the way around the base of the figure. Size: 5.5" L x 3.05" W x 5.25" H (14 cm x 7.7 cm x 13.3 cm)

Tomb figures like this one are part of a class of artifacts called mingqi - sometimes known as "spirit utensils" or "vessels for ghosts". They became popular in the Han Dynasty and would persist for several centuries. Alongside figures like this one were other animals, musicians, athletes, structures… anything the deceased might need to recreate the world of the living. Even though they were mass produced, mingqi of the Han Dynasty often show a high level of detail and naturalism. These were designed to assist the po, the part of the soul of the deceased that remained underground with the body while the hun, the other part of the soul, ascended. Caring for the po seems to have taken on a new level of meaning in the Han period, with more elaborate rituals and tomb construction arising.

Provenance: private Florida, USA collection

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#129880

Base has been repaired from multiple pieces, with overpainting along repair lines. Ram is in nice condition.