X-RARE Chinese Han Dyn. Ritual Wine \"Hu\" w/Characters + English Translation For Sale

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X-RARE Chinese Han Dyn. Ritual Wine \"Hu\" w/Characters + English Translation:
$6900.00

ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS

Antiques, Artifacts & Fine Collectibles

Ancient Chinese Ritual Wine Pitcher

Unglazed Stoneware Wine Vessel “Hu”

With Painted Chinese Characters

c.Han Dynasty

206BC—220 AD

English Translation

“In the presenceof my Ancestors,

I offer this Sweet Wine and Dried Grass as a Sacrifice

to Heaven and to the Gods”

\"...Oneadorns the dead as though they were still living, and sends them to the gravewith forms symbolic of life.\"

—Xunzi (literal translation “Master Xun”), (310—235BC)

A Chinese follower of Confucius who lived during the Warring States periodof ancient China

Thisancient Chinese Wine Pitcher (in Chinese “Hu”)dates to the early Han Dynasty or perhaps earlier and was used during sacredceremonies to offer wine to the gods and ancestors. The dried remnants of thewine that this vessel once held over 2,000 years ago still coat the inside ofthe neck of the vessel. {see photos # 4-5}

ThisHu was likely part of a much larger collection of tomb pottery that would have beenburied with the elite during the Han Dynasty in order that their Spirits mightgive the proper homage to the Gods and ancestors upon their deaths, and thattheir souls would be safely transported and accepted into Heaven.

Butwhat makes this particular vessel incredible RARE and HIGHLY collectableare the ancient Chinese characters (pictographs) that were applied by brush tothe outer surface of the wine pitcher!This is a museum quality piece that is offered for the advanced privatecollector or museum. This Hu is totally unique and one of a kind with its offering inscription painted on its side. I doubt if you will ever see one like it listed on and certainly not with one that has been translated into English like this one has.

Origin:China

Item: Glazed Stoneware Ritual Wine Pitcher(in Chinese “Hu”) to hold hot wine.

Period& Style:c. Han Dynasty (206BC—220 AD) or perhaps late Zhou Dynasty.

ApproximateSize & Weight:5.6” (143 mm)tall x 4” (103 mm) in diameter. 14.9 oz.(421 gr.)

REF:

“A Handbook of Chinese Ceramics,” MET, 1988, by Suzanne G. Valenstein

“TheAncestral Landscape: Time, Space, and Community in Late Shang China,” Dr. David N. Leightley, 2000.

Thisunglazed, gray clay, Wine Pitcher is the correct, carafe style that was usedabout 2,000 years ago during the famous Han Dynasty (220 BC—220 AD). This styleof stoneware wine container was used in both ritual offerings and in dailydomestic situations of the wealthy upper class.

ThisWine Vessel measures about 5.6” tall x 4” wide with a small a 2.34” diameterflat, footed base that was string cut—you can still see the circular marks {see photo # 6}. It was not made on a potter’s wheel, butinstead by laying, thick coils of clay one layer at a time. It was fired in a low-temp kiln with some ashdeposits from that kiln.

Ithas a fine, gray slip with some age appropriate, mineral and element deposits. Itdoes have an ancient bulge or low relief applique on the side that measuresabout 1.5” wide x 1” tall that has red, iron deposit in the center frommillennia of burial in wet soil. It isunclear if this bulge in the side of this vessel occurred when some wine leakedout between the coiled layers of clay that make up vessel or if was purposefullydesigned to signify the front of the vessel.Such marks were necessary when, during ritual ceremonies, the wine wouldbe offered as a sacrifice to the gods and ancestors. The presenter would have held this vase inboth his hands with the front of the vessel facing away from him and towardsthe gods.

Asgrain wine played an important part in ancient Chinese rituals these winevessels were often placed in the grave of an ancestor as part of ritual inorder to ensure a good relationship with ancestor\'s spirit and the gods.

Specializedstorage containers for food (millet grain) and wine made from grain with added sweet fruits are among theprincipal grave goods of the Han, reflecting the survivors’ concern for thefundamental need for the departed soul’s nourishment as they traveled to theafterlife. These wine vessels were alsoused in normal ritual offerings and in temple offerings for the departedancestors.

Winevessels fall into three kinds: drinking vessels, vessels for holding wine andvessels for storing wine. In addition, each kind can be further divided into avariety of sorts with different styles. The most common ones are the Jue and Jiao used for drinking wine, as well as the Zun and Hu for holdingwine and offering it in rituals.

Provenance:

Legallyobtained over 30 years ago through British controlled Hong Kong. Ex. private collection of Jim Britton, Oregon.

References:

“AHandbook of Chinese Ceramics,”MET, 1988, by Suzanne G. Valenstein

Similarexamples can be found in China’s famous Palace Museum in Beijing or in theNational Palace Museum in Taipei and at the MET in New York City. See also similar examples contained in the Luoyang Ancient Tombs Museum (洛阳古墓博物馆) Luoyang, China.

offer with confidence--as I have Positive response from hundreds of satisfied customers from around the world!

Please look carefully at thephotos, taken with 4x macro lens, since they are part of the description.

It would make a wonderful addition to your collection or a Super gift!

Thestand and the AA battery are NOT part of the sale, just there to give you a perspective and a good view of item.

And please ask any questions before you buy.

Thanks!

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