Globular Jar with Ring Handles
Western Han dynasty (206 B.C.–A.D. 9), 1st century B.C.
Medium
Stoneware with olive-green glaze and incised, impressed decoration and relief cordons
Dimensions
H.: 39.4 cm (15 1/2 in.)
Classification
stoneware
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
80896
Art Historical Context
This elegant Globular Jar with Ring Handles, standing at 15½ inches tall, hails from China's Western Han dynasty (206 B.C.–A.D. 9), specifically the 1st century B.C. Crafted during an era of imperial unity and technological innovation following the Warring States period, it exemplifies the Han's mastery of ceramics. The globular form with sturdy ring handles suggests practical use for storing grain, wine, or oils in households or tombs, reflecting everyday life and funerary customs of the time. Made of durable stoneware—a high-fired clay body more vitreous than earthenware—the jar features a ...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...