WESTERN HAN DYNASTY (206 BC-AD 8)

Oil lamps of this type, realistically made in the shape of animals, where the hinged cover flips up to reveal the oil reservoir in the body of the animal, became popular during the Han dynasty. Although examples of ox shape appear to be less common, a similar lamp excavated in Nanyang, Henan province, dated Western Han, is illustrated in Wenwu, 1996:3, p. 81, fig. 2, in a line drawing, and back cover (photograph). Two others of recumbent ox shape, but with upright horns, are illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum - 28 - Bronze Articles for Daily Use, Hong Kong, 2006, nos. 81 and 82. Lamps of recumbent ram shape are more common. One excavated in 1968 from the Western Han dynasty tomb of Liu Sheng, Prince of Zhongshan, Mancheng, Hebei province, is illustrated in Zhongguo Qingtongqi Quanji - 12 - Qin Han, Beijing, 1998, p. 112, no. 110. Another in the Mount Trust Collection is illustrated by W. Watson, Ancient Chinese Bronzes, pl. 84a.