A Pair of Gray Pottery Long-Neck Vases

Han Dynasty, 206 BCE–220 CEThis pair of gray pottery vases is a fine example of Han dynasty funerary ceramics from Shaanxi Province. The vessels are distinguished by their unusually tall funnel-shaped necks, flattened globular bodies, and high splayed bases, creating an elegant and balanced silhouette. Raised bands encircle the necks, while the broad dish-shaped rims are finished with multiple ridges. Originally burnished to produce a smooth surface, the pottery has developed layers of mineral deposits and calcification during centuries of burial. Vessels of this type were produced as mingqi (funerary objects) and placed in tombs to provide the deceased with the necessities and comforts of daily life in the afterlife. Like many excavated Han ceramics, the surfaces show signs of age, burial encrustation, and stress caused by changing environmental conditions over time. Despite this, the pair remains remarkably well preserved, reflecting the high level of craftsmanship achieved by Han potters and offering valuable insight into the burial customs and material...