A large dark green-glazed pottery watchtower
東漢 綠釉陶望樓
The tower rests in a circular basin representing a moat, complete with geese
and turtles, and its construction is in two sections. The lower section
consists of a pierced square column supporting a box-like room fitted with
three ventilation grilles, perhaps a granary. Bear-shaped caryatid figures
attached to the sides of the "granary" support a square balcony on
the rim of which stand three diminutive figures playing music. The upper
section sits in the centre of the square and has two storeys, each with a wide
roof, with ridges suggesting columns of roof-tiles, supported by dougong, the
characteristic bracket seen in nearly all Chinese architecture. The top storey
has a further square balcony with four cross-bows lined up on the rim, as if
the owners had temporarily put them down. The whole tower is applied with green
lead glaze of exceptionally good colour.
Pottery models of watchtowers of this kind are one of the most characteristic
products of the Han dynasty, and showed pronounced regional variations. This
example is from Henan province.
Unlike in the Tang dynasty, when funerary figures seem to have served as
much as proof of status as for any spiritual function, the Han funerary wares
have a much more direct and homely nature, as if the afterlife were a simple
continuation and must therefore be furnished with everything the deceased had
while still living, like pigs, dogs, chickens, goats, farm buildings and as
here watchtowers. In fact, the large watchtowers, while usually heavily
defended, seem to have been more than simply defensive structures and probably
represent a type of multi-storey fortified dwelling that existed in the Han
dynasty.
Dimensions: Height: 117cm, 46 inches
Date: Han dynasty (206 BC- 220 AD)
Stock No. 235
Price: On Request