Funerary Urn (Hunping)

Description

Green-glazed stoneware developed greater variety in the south after the Han dynasty. Large funerary urns known as hunping, or "the urn of the soul," are evidence for its prolific production.

This type of urn features multistoried towers populated by human figures, animals, and birds. It was likely associated with the southern funerary tradition of "summons of the soul." The wandering soul of the deceased was summoned to return. The urn with architectural designs (sometimes with grains placed inside) provided a safe place of refuge.

Provenance

(James J. Freeman, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art) (?–1988); The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (1988–)

Funerary Urn (Hunping)

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late 200s CE

Accession Number

1988.21

Medium

green-glazed stoneware with molded and sculpted decoration

Dimensions

Diameter: 28.8 cm (11 5/16 in.); Overall: 52.1 cm (20 1/2 in.)

Classification

Ceramic

Museum

The Cleveland Museum of Art

Cleveland, United States

Credit Line

Severance and Greta Millikin Purchase Fund