6B - China - Large Ding Vessel in Terracotta - Han Dynasty - TL
3000-4500 €
China - Large Ding Vessel in Terracotta - Han Dynasty - TL
Large Ding terracotta tripod vase characterized by its imposing and elegant shape, supported by three sturdy feet. The body of the vase is cylindrical in shape with two small vertical handles slightly curved. The lid is topped with three stylized protuberances used as feet when the lid was overturned to serve as a cut. This vase is typically symmetrical, with its silhouette reflecting harmony and stability, essential values in ancient Chinese art. The feet themselves are designed to provide the room with maximum stability, underlining its importance in the rituals of the time. The vase, although mainly intended for funerary rituals, also reflects an aesthetic concern with a perfectly balanced shape and ideal proportions. Due to the use of terracotta, the room has a patina imitating the bronze typical of ancient objects that gives it a special charm. A thermoluminescence test accompanies the object certifying its ancient dating.
Origin: China.
Period: The Warring States period ended or the beginning of the Han period (3-2nd century BC). Thermoluminescence test. Dimensions: Height: 29 cm; Diameter: 33 cm.
Conditions: Good general condition, restorations of uses.
The Ding is often associated with the rites of sacrifice and veneration of ancestors and symbolized imperial authority and prosperity. Traditionally made of bronze, the terracotta ding, such as this one, was one of the funerary objects called mingqi, placed in tombs to accompany the deceased into the afterlife. These objects were intended to provide spiritual and material protection for the deceased in the other world. During the Han Dynasty, the use of terracotta for the production of these containers spread, making it possible to create accessible versions in comparison with more expensive bronze coins. These tripod vases not only have a ritual function, but they also bear witness to the advancement of terracotta manufacturing techniques and the refinement of the artists of the time.
Commission fees of only 20% + inhouse shipment available
