Standing Farmer holding a Pitchfork
Unknown Artist
Medium
Earthenware with green lead glaze
Dimensions
H. 10 1/2 in. (26.7 cm)
Classification
Tomb Pottery
Culture & Period
China · Neolithic period to Ming dynasty (1368–1644)
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
1994.605.93
Tags
Art Historical Context
This charming earthenware figurine, titled *Standing Farmer Holding Pitchfork*, stands just 10½ inches tall and exemplifies ancient Chinese tomb pottery traditions. Crafted from earthenware coated in a vibrant green lead glaze technique that emerged prominently from the Han dynasty onward—the piece captures a humble farmer in a poised, upright stance, pitchfork in hand. Its modest size and glossy finish highlight the accessibility and mass production of such ceramics, which were fired at relatively low temperatures to achieve durability and color. Spanning China's Neolithic period through the...