Hen
6th century
Medium
Earthenware
Dimensions
35 × 35.8 × 15 cm (13 3/4 × 14 1/8 × 5 7/8 in.)
Classification
ritual objects
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
200707
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
This hen was modeled somewhat simply, but very effectively. Comb marks along her body suggest feathers, and the features of her face and comb were made with simple tools or by hand. The hen’s body is actually one slab of clay that was folded to form the tail section. Many other haniwa in the shape of birds—such as waterfowl, swans, and hens—with similar simple execution but great sensitivity and expressiveness have been excavated, largely in the Kantô region. This piece was unearthed in Tochigi ...
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...