Minneapolis Institute of Art

Garlic Head Vase

China

Date

2nd century BCE

Medium

Earthenware with red pigments

Department

Asian Art

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

Han potters often relied on bronze prototypes as can be seen in this vase, the exact equivalent of which exists in bronze. The globular body supports a tall neck terminating in a bulbous, so-called garlic head mouth. The design of painted red triangles can also be seen on painted, lacquer wares of the period. The combination of a bronze shape with lacquer decoration in a clay object designates the vessel's use as a ming qi or burial object. It is essentially a ceramic replica of a more expensive bronze vessel, like the one shown to the left. China, Asia

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