Model of Bird
Unknown Artist
Medium
Stoneware
Dimensions
H. 5 3/4 in. (14.6 cm); W. 4 1/8 in. (10.5 cm)
Classification
Tomb Pottery
Culture & Period
China · Yuan dynasty (1271–1368)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Charlotte C. and John C. Weber Collection, Gift of Charlotte C. and John C. Weber, 1994
Accession Number
1994.605.82
Tags
Art Historical Context
This delicate stoneware model of a bird, standing just 5¾ inches tall, hails from China's Yuan dynasty (1271–1368), a period marked by Mongol rule and cultural fusion. Crafted as tomb pottery—known as *mingqi*—it served a vital funerary purpose: to accompany the deceased into the afterlife, symbolizing vitality, freedom, or perhaps guardianship. Such small-scale models were often placed in tombs to recreate elements of the living world, ensuring comfort and prosperity for the spirit. The use of stoneware, a high-fired ceramic valued for its durability and subtle earthy tones, reflects advance...