A very fine and rare Western Han dynasty earthenware GuCang (granary), ca.100BC-AD8. Dimensions are 10-7/8" tall, 6-1/2" diameter. Gucang is mingqi ware, which are made primarily for burying with the deceased. It was believed that the deceased would be able to take and use these objects in their next life. This gucang is made of a fine and smooth ashen-black clay in the form of a grain silo or granary. The gucang's form is quite strong and refined, characteristic of later Western Han, standing tall on 3 molded legs, with the original low, spread lid. The body has 4 sets of 3 raised bands circumventing it. The entire gucang exhibits strong "baojiang", evidence of great age. The base shows the directional knife marks used to remove the body from the wheel before applying the feet. There is a small hexagonal recess in the lower side of the granary which is to simulate the granary access door. This granary's form is quite interesting in that it exemplifies an early Hans departure from creating new styles and instead honored ancestral Shang bronze, (ca.21st BC-1027BC), styling. ca.21st BC-1027BC. The granary is in excellent, museum quality condition, without any damage or repair.b5/14 Click for Price @ GoAntiques.com
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