Model of a Pigsty and Latrines
Han dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE), 100 BCE–100 CE
Medium
Gray earthenware with stamped decoration
Dimensions
40.6 × 21.6 × 27.9 cm (16 × 8 1/2 × 11 in.)
Classification
earthenware
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
37716
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Han-dynasty grave goods documented even the most mundane aspects of rural life. As illustrated here, latrines—or toilets—were customarily built above a pigsty and connected by pipes to a cesspool. The ar-chitectural style of this well-constructed object resembles models excavated from tombs in Huixian, a city in northern China.
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...