China - Large Basin On A Dou-style Pedestal With Taoties - Western Han (206 Bc – 9) - Tl

Large basin on a pedestal (Dou-typeor ritual bowl). China—Han Dynasty (206 BC–220). This large ritual terracotta vessel stands out for its exceptional size and noble grandeur, embodying the simplicity and power characteristic of Han Dynasty art. The bowl, with its generous and even walls, flares out toward a neck accentuated by a flat, overhanging rim. It rests on a truncated conical pedestal that ensures the architectural balance of its silhouette. The body is punctuated by horizontal bands and incised lines in low relief, carved into the still-fresh clay during the wheel-throwing process. On either side, two Taotie masks in high relief emerge forcefully from the wall. Their stylized, zoomorphic features—characteristic of the decorative repertoire of archaic bronzes, here transposed into clay—lend the piece its ritual and protective significance. Examination of the inner wall reveals warm, ochre-colored hues, resulting from the firing of the clay and millennia of interaction with the sediments of the excavation site. The concentric marks attest to precise and meticulous craftsmanship, perfectly proportioned for its 50 cm opening. Side views confirm the masterful symmetry and regularity of the annular decorations encircling the rim and the base. The surface of the terracotta is covered with a thick layer of earthy concretions and calcareous sediments of archaeological origin. These incrustations attest to its long stay in a funerary context (mingqi). Numerous traces of roots. The object’s dating is formally corroborated by thermoluminescence analysis conducted at Oxford, scientifically validating the period of the clay’s final firing, which is fully consistent with Han typology.
Origin: China
Period: Western Han (206 BC – 9)
Dimensions: Height: 31.5 cm - Diameter: 50 cm.
Condition: Very good overall condition.
Provenance: Private Belgian collection.