A green-glazed pottery lamp-stand in the form of a bear

東漢  綠釉陶熊燈

The lamp has a splayed conical base supporting a circular platform on which kneels a figure of a bear with its forepaws resting on its knees. The stylized creature has a long snout, deeply scored with lines suggesting fur, tear-shaped eyes, and large tab-shaped ears. On its head it supports a knopped column and a dish-shaped drip-pan. The overall glaze is of rich dark green colour with some light iridescence. The underside of the base, with three small prism-shaped supports, is unglazed showing the pale orange ware.

A related, though larger, bear lamp is illustrated by J.J. Lally, Ancient China, Jades, Bronzes and Ceramics, 1999, cat. no. 36.

The great strength of the bear made it a natural candidate for use as an atlantid in a number of roles, usually as a foot for a vessel. 

Dimensions: Height: 32cm, 12 ½ inches

Date: Eastern Han dynasty (25-220)

Stock No. 826

Price: On Request