HAN AND TANG DYNASTY

Details

Three pottery figures of chickens and a farmer
Han and Tang dynasty
A cockerel and a chicken standing on a rectangular base, and a hollow model of a duck with feet tucked away, similarly painted in pale green, brick-red and black pigment, 17 cm., 11 cm. and 13.4 cm.; and a figure of a farmer, his arms held out as if sowing or feeding poultry, 19.5 cm. high, some restoration (4)

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Sale room notice

Please note that part of this lot has been illustrated as lot 193 on page 56 of the printed catalogue.

Lot Essay

One of the 'six domestic animals,' chickens served primarily as a food source during Han times. Their ubiquity and importance in Chinese life is also marked by the inclusion of the chicken in the Chinese zodiac as the animal corresponding to the tenth terrestrial branch. In terms of their symbolism, the crowing of the rooster was associated with auspicious occurrences and was believed to frighten off evil spirits. The crowing of the hen, on the other hand indicates a female-run government.

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