Mee Lee

Unknown

Well

private collection

The "Western Han Swirl Cloud Pattern Cocoon-shaped Colored Pot" was made during the Western Han Dynasty (202 BCE - 8 CE) and is a representative work of Han Dynasty ceramic art. The entire vessel is cocoon-shaped, with a full and round body, an outward flaring neck, and an outward-moving foot, presenting an elegant and harmonious form that highlights the dignified and harmonious aesthetics of ceramic sculpture during the Western Han period.

The surface is coated with a black ceramic glaze as a base and is entirely decorated with a swirl cloud pattern in red and white, flowing smoothly, with bright colors that exude dynamism. This cloud pattern not only serves a decorative purpose but also reflects the rituals, auspicious thoughts, and cosmology of the Western Han, symbolizing peace and good fortune. It features rich layers and embodies the Han Dynasty's reverence for nature and deities.

The cocoon-shaped pot is a distinctively regional and temporal ceramic form from the Western Han period, commonly used for holding wine or water, and often found as grave goods in tombs, symbolizing wealth and protection. Its craftsmanship and decorative excellence represent the sophisticated techniques and aesthetic orientations of Han pottery. This swirl cloud pattern cocoon-shaped colored pot not only showcases the elegance and preciousness of Western Han ceramics but also serves as important physical evidence for exploring the cultural life and spiritual world of the Han Dynasty.

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