Han



RING-HOLDER MASK (pushou) Western Han dynasty (206 BC-AD 9) Jade H. 13 1/2 in. (34.2 cm.); W. 14 in. (35.6 cm.); D. 5 7/8 in. (14.7 cm.) Unearthed in 1975 in the vicinity of Maoling, Xingping County Maoling Museum


		In general form, this jade object resembles mask fixtures that were used to hold ring handles on vessels or coffins, and even on some tomb doors. For instance, the stone door of the tomb of Liu Sheng at Mancheng still had a bronze ring-holder mask in place upon excavation.

	The principle image is a bestial mask with two large eyes that have finely incised lines indicating irises. A nasal ridge is placed between the eyes, and “teeth” are suggested along the lover edge. Above and to the sides the creatures of the cardinal directions scale the surface of the mask. To the right the Green Dragon of the east stretches from top to bottom. The Vermilion Bird of the south rests on the right “eyebrow” of the mask. The Dark/Black Warrior of the north, comprised of a turtle and a snake, is situated on the lover left, and the White Tiger of the west is posed in the upper left corner. Enlivening the composition, the tiger tightly grasps part of the mask with its claws, and the dragon holds the top edge of the mask in its teeth


	This gilded bronze horse was probable a treasured object in one of the palaces. It does not have an inscription but was found with inscribed artifacts that indicated that they were used by the imperial family, in particular Princess Yangxin, the elder sister of Emperor Wu. No other gilded bronze examples of a horse this size have thus far been excavated.



	HORSE Western Han dynasty (206 BC-AD 9) Gilded bronze H. 24 3/8 in. (62 cm.); L. 32 1/4 in. (82 cm.) Unearthed in 1981 from burial pit near Tomb no. 1 on east side of Maoling Maoling Museum


	MOUNTAIN-LIDDED INCENSE BURNER Western Han dynasty (206 BC-AD 9) Bronze with gold and silver guilding H. 22 3/4 in. (58 cm.); D. at base 3 1/2 in. (9 cm.) Unearthed in 1981 from a funerary pit near Maoling, the mausoleum of Emporer Wu Shaanxi History Museum


	This spectacular incense burner was made for one of the imperial palaces, the Weiyang gong, during the reign of Emperor Wu. The censer has two inscriptions tat are nearly identical: one on the base of the lid and one on the edge of the foot. The inscription on the lid identifies the original locationof the censer, its weight, the date it was made (137 BC), the date it was brought to the palace (136 BC), and its registration number. It was found with inscribed objects belonging to Princess Yangxin, the elder sister of Emperor Wu.


	CHICKEN AND ROOSTER H. 4 ¾ in. (12 cm.); H. 5 7/8 in. (15 cm.) SOW L. 16 1/8 in. (41 cm.) Western Han dynasty (206 B.C.- A.D. 9) Earthenware Excavated 1992-93 from pits near the Yangling Mausoleum of Emperor Jing and Empress Wang Shaanxi Provincial Institute of Archaeology


	South of the Yangling Mausoleum of Emperor Jing and his empress (d. 126 BC), twenty-four pits arranged in fourteen rows from east to west were excavated. Polychromed earthenware animals were found in some of these pits. The menagerie includes oxen, sheep, goats, hogs, horses, dogs, chickens, and roosters. The animals, with the exception of the fowl, have lost their color. All of these creatures have been rendered with enough detail to be easily identified, but their creators had very little interest in the finer details of anatomy, just as in the human figures. Slight modeling and incised lines are used to creat their facial features. It is apparent however, that the designers wanted to capture salient details of some animals: the full belly of the sow, the tuffted beard of the goat, and the raised tail and ears of the watchdog. All of the creatures stand completely at attention with their heads straight ahead, legs locked, and hooves, paws, or claws firmly planted on the ground.



	SET OF BUILDINGS WITH COURTYARDS Eastern Han dynasty (AD 25 - 220) Earthenware H. 32 in. (82 cm.); W. (54 3/8 in.); D. 45 in. (115 cm.) Unearthed in 1978 from Tomb no. 1, Laodaosi, Mianxian, Shaanxi Province Mianxian Museum


	As a rare Han residential complex from Shaanxi Province, this model consists of two courtyards of buildings connected by walls, a living quarter for the family, and a stable yard for the livestock and other domestic animals. The main building in the front courtyard, which archeologists believe is the residential chamber of the home owner, is a three-story building with large, overhanging roofs. Another three-story building on one side has a watchtower, and opposite the tower is a two story barn which has a railed stairway leading to the granary. The second courtyard consists of a livestock stable, a pigsty, a chicken coop, and a chamber that was probably used as a kitchen. The architectural details are highlighted by the presentation of various designs for roofs, eaves, brackets, doors, and windows. For instance windows are decorated with a variety of lattice work. Based on the large number of bronze coins and other burial items found in the same tomb, this set of buildings is dated to around AD 100.



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