Minneapolis Institute of Art

Spirit Jar (hunping)

China

Date

late 3rd century

Medium

Yue ware Porcelaneous stoneware with olive green glaze

Department

Asian Art

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

Large, extensively decorated burial jars like this have been recovered in recent decades. Limited to the area south of the river in the Northern Zhejiang and Southern Jiangsu province, they represent a vessel type and burial practices specific to this region. Made without lids, the jars display an extremely rich assortment of molded figures, animals, and architecture in a tiered arrangement comprising their upper portions. The jars were most likely placed in the tomb so the soul of the deceased would have a place to reside. This accounts for a palace-like structure with entrance gates facing the four directions. The various figures at the top most likely represent Daoist immortals who somehow aided in the afterlife. China, Asia

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