Cleveland Museum of Art

Dog

Date: 25–220 CE
Medium: earthenware with lead glaze
Culture: China, Eastern Han dynasty (25–220 CE)
Department: Chinese Art
Institution: Cleveland Museum of Art

Modeled with a lively naturalism and light humor, this dog reflects the worldly tastes of Han China. It differs from the solemn animal images on ritual bronze vessels, which served as the medium for communication with the supernatural realms. The Han people held beliefs in a worldly paradise and an otherworldly realm of eternal life and happiness. The dog's muzzle, whiskers, and neck scruff were boldly incised into the earthenware form.

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