JAR, Green-glazed, Han Dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE)

This is a green-glazed jar from the Han Dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE). During this period, the first true celadon wares emerged in the history of Chinese ceramics, alongside the production of ash-glazed pottery, polychrome gray pottery, black pottery, and lead-glazed ceramics. Marking a significant departure from the bronze culture that flourished from the Shang to the Warring States periods, the Han Dynasty witnessed a technological innovation in the firing of celadon, leading to the creation of ceramics that were both diverse in technique and form.

The jar features a gently curving shoulder adorned with beast motifs. The green glaze exhibits a beautiful silvering effect, presenting a captivating appearance. It is said that this natural silvering process can take several centuries to develop.