Western Han dynasty

Bronze Censer in the shape of the cosmic mountain 'po-shan-lu' held up by a man seated on a monster, from the Tomb of Princess Tou Wen, Mancheng, Hebei, Western Han Dynasty.

Bronze Incense Burner Inlaid with Gold, unearthed in 1968 from the Tomb of Liu Sheng, Prince of Zhongshan, Western Han dynasty, 2nd century BC , height 26cm, width 9,7 cm. Hebei Museum

Kneeling man, Western Han dynasty, ca 150 BC. Polychrome painted earthenware, height 31 cm. National Gallery of Prague, Vp 13. In the period of the Western Han there occurred a considerable boom in the use of figures in tombs, and there was also a marked progress in the depiction of human forms. Both sculptures Vp 12 and Vp 13 are unique examples of the style which predominated in the region of the capital city Xianyang around the mid-2nd century BC and which was derived from the monumental soldiers of the terra-cotta army of the... [Lire la suite]

Standing Lady, Western Han dynasty, 2th Century B.C. Wood, polychrome paint, metal, mother-of-pearl; height 64,5 cm. Collection of Kinsky Palace, National Gallery of Prague, Vp 349. In ancient China, funerary figures were placed in tombs with the deceased as accoutrements for the afterlife (to be used in the same way as in life). We can find dishes, furniture, models of houses and domestic animals, but also humans performing various social roles. The wooden funerary figure tradition originates in the burial practices of the Chu... [Lire la suite]

Seated bear, Western Han dynasty, 2nd–1st century BC. Black marble, height 18 cm. National Gallery of Prague, Vp 3109. In the period of the Western Han there occurred a considerable boom in the use of figures in tombs, and there was also a marked progress in the depiction of human and animal forms. Figures of small bears were often used as caryatids on bronze vessels or as furniture finials. Freestanding statues of this type are, however, rare, and their iconography and function are unclear.

Standing man, Western Han dynasty, ca 150 BC. Polychrome painted earthenware, height 42,5 cm. National Gallery of Prague, Vp 12. In the period of the Western Han there occurred a considerable boom in the use of figures in tombs, and there was also a marked progress in the depiction of human forms. Both sculptures Vp 12 and Vp 13 are unique examples of the style which predominated in the region of the capital city Xianyang around the mid-2nd century BC and which was derived from the monumental soldiers of the terra-cotta army of the... [Lire la suite]

Jar hu, Western Han dynasty, first century BC, polychrome earthenware, height 38 cm. National Gallery of Prague, Vp 33.  The jar, which is cold-painted in white, ochre yellow and vermillion red, is part of the funerary accoutrements that were widely used during the Han dynasty. Unlike many other exhibits depicting figural scenes, this one is decorated with geometric motifs, spirals and hatching. The jars could serve to store offerings or were used as merely decorative objects.

Dr. David Ho (Chinese name Ho Hangchi 何昌熾) was born in Kanton in 1911. His father was a well-known dentist in Nanjing who counted Chiang Kai-shek among his patients. David Ho pursued an illustrious career in International Law. He first studied political sciences at the University of Shanghai (1930-1932) followed by comparative and international law studies at Suzhou University. After moving to France, in 1941 he obtained a PhD in law from the University of Paris. In 1962 he joined the Honourable Society of the Inner Temple in... [Lire la suite]

Lot 105. A rare turquoise-inlaid gold fitting, Western Han dynasty. Diameter 4.5 cm, 1¾in. Lot sold: 5,292GBP (Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000 GBP). © Sotheby's 2021 Sotheby's. Chinese Art Online, London, 13 December 2021

Lot 165. A black pottery two-handled amphora, Western Han Dynasty; 9 1/8in (23.2cm) high. Sold for US$ 4,080 (€ 3,475). © Bonhams 2001-2021 The low-set ovoid body carved with two whorl-shaped reserves on each side and divided by two broad strap handles attached from the mouth rim and the body, bands of geometric patterns carved into the neck. Note: Many non-Han people lived in southwest China, even after the establishment of the Qin and Han dynasties. Unusually shaped amphorae, such as the present lot, may... [Lire la suite]