This ancient Chinese Wine Pitcher (in Chinese “Hu”) dates to the early Han Dynasty or perhaps earlier and was used during sacred ceremonies to offer wine to the gods and ancestors. The dried remnants of the wine that this vessel once held over 2,000 years ago still coat the inside of the neck of the vessel. {see photos # 4-5}

This Hu was likely part of a much larger collection of tomb pottery that would have been buried with the elite during the Han Dynasty in order that their Spirits might give the proper homage to the Gods and ancestors upon their deaths, and that their souls would be safely transported and accepted into Heaven.

But what makes this particular vessel incredible RARE and HIGHLY collectable are the ancient Chinese characters (pictographs) that were applied by brush to the outer surface of the wine pitcher!  This is a museum quality piece that is offered for the advanced private collector or museum.  This Hu is totally unique and one of a kind with its offering inscription painted on its side.  I doubt if you will ever see one like it listed on eBay and certainly not with one that has been translated into English like this one has. 

Origin:   China

Item: Glazed Stoneware Ritual Wine Pitcher (in Chinese “Hu”) to hold hot wine.

Period & Style: c. Han Dynasty (206 BC—220 AD) or perhaps late Zhou Dynasty.

Material:  Unglazed Gray Clay Terracotta Stoneware fired in a brick-built kiln.

Approximate Size & Weight: 5.6” (143 mm) tall x 4” (103 mm) in diameter.  14.9 oz. (421 gr.)

Condition:  Original and authentic. Unglazed, grayware pottery in good condition.  Sides of the vessel show ancient Chinese Characters under a slip glaze and a wonderful, ancient, wine residue that is white and still coats the inside neck of this vessel.  This vessel is in “as found” condition and has only minor chips and mineral deposits consistent with its age.  It does have an ancient bulge or low relief applique on the side that measures about 1.5” wide x 1” tall that has red, iron deposit in the center from millennia of burial in wet soil. 

REF:

 “A Handbook of Chinese Ceramics,” MET, 1988, by Suzanne G. Valenstein

“The Ancestral Landscape: Time, Space, and Community in Late Shang China,” Dr. David N. Leightley, 2000.

“Chinese Characters,” Dr. L. Wieger, 1965.

DETAILS

This unglazed, gray clay, Wine Pitcher is the correct, carafe style that was used about 2,000 years ago during the famous Han Dynasty (220 BC—220 AD).  This style of stoneware wine container was used in both ritual offerings and in daily domestic situations of the wealthy upper class. 

This Wine Vessel measures about 5.6” tall x 4” wide with a small a 2.34” diameter flat, footed base that was string cut—you can still see the circular marks {see photo # 6}.  It was not made on a potter’s wheel, but instead by laying, thick coils of clay one layer at a time.  It was fired in a low-temp kiln with some ash deposits from that kiln.

It has a fine, gray slip with some age appropriate, mineral and element deposits.  It does have an ancient bulge or low relief applique on the side that measures about 1.5” wide x 1” tall that has red, iron deposit in the center from millennia of burial in wet soil.  It is unclear if this bulge in the side of this vessel occurred when some wine leaked out between the coiled layers of clay that make up vessel or if was purposefully designed to signify the front of the vessel.  Such marks were necessary when, during ritual ceremonies, the wine would be offered as a sacrifice to the gods and ancestors.  The presenter would have held this vase in both his hands with the front of the vessel facing away from him and towards the gods.

As grain wine played an important part in ancient Chinese rituals these wine vessels were often placed in the grave of an ancestor as part of ritual in order to ensure a good relationship with ancestor's spirit and the gods. 

Specialized storage containers for food (millet grain) and wine made from grain with added sweet fruits are among the principal grave goods of the Han, reflecting the survivors’ concern for the fundamental need for the departed soul’s nourishment as they traveled to the afterlife.  These wine vessels were also used in normal ritual offerings and in temple offerings for the departed ancestors.

Wine vessels fall into three kinds: drinking vessels, vessels for holding wine and vessels for storing wine. In addition, each kind can be further divided into a variety of sorts with different styles. The most common ones are the Jue and Jiao used for drinking wine, as well as the Zun and Hu for holding wine and offering it in rituals.

Provenance:

Legally obtained over 30 years ago through British controlled Hong Kong.  Ex. private collection of Jim Britton, Oregon.   

References:

“A Handbook of Chinese Ceramics,” MET, 1988, by Suzanne G. Valenstein

Similar examples can be found in China’s famous Palace Museum in Beijing or in the National Palace Museum in Taipei and at the MET in New York City.  See also similar examples contained in the Luoyang  Ancient Tombs Museum (洛阳古墓博物馆) Luoyang, China.