Description
| ITEM | Statuette of a dog |
| MATERIAL | Pottery |
| CULTURE | Chinese, Han Dynasty |
| PERIOD | 206 B.C – 220 A.D |
| DIMENSIONS | 320 mm x 315 mm x 160 mm |
| CONDITION | Good condition. Includes Thermoluminescence test by QED Laboratory and Expertise of Chambre Europienne des Experts Conseil en Ouvres d’Art (CECOA), 1998 |
| PROVENANCE | Ex Belgian private collection, B.H., Ex G.Q. private collection, Ex Galerie Arts et Civilisations (1998) |
Statuettes of dogs from the Han Dynasty (206 BCE – 220 CE) are a common type of tomb figurine, reflecting the close relationship between humans and animals in ancient Chinese society. These ceramic figures were often placed in tombs as part of the belief in an afterlife where the deceased would require the same comforts and protections as in life. Dogs, valued as guardians, hunters, and loyal companions, were symbolically included to offer security and companionship in the next world.
Most Han dog statuettes are made of earthenware, sometimes with a green lead-glaze known as “sancai” or cold-painted with pigments that have faded over time. They are typically depicted in a seated or standing posture, with pricked ears, alert expressions, and short, muscular bodies—features resembling the native Chinese breeds used for guarding homes and livestock. Some have collars or bells modeled around their necks, emphasizing their domesticated role.
These figures were not merely decorative but held symbolic and functional value. In Han cosmology, dogs were seen as protectors against evil spirits and intruders, both in the mortal world and beyond. Their inclusion in tombs suggests that they were considered essential to maintaining order and safety in the afterlife. This reflects a broader Han practice of burying tomb occupants with a full retinue of mingqi (明器), or “spirit objects,” which replicated elements of daily life.
The prevalence of dog statuettes also illustrates the Han Dynasty’s agricultural and domestic structure, where dogs were not only companions but integral to rural livelihoods.
