Cute sitting pottery dog of the Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD) TL tested

• A charming handmade pottery figure of a seated dog, featuring a slender body, upright pointed ears, a short snout, and a tail raised high as if mid-wag. Painted in a white tone with red detailed pigments emphasizes its expressive features—the slightly parted mouth and arched browe. Around its neck, the dog wears a red collar adorned with a small bow on the left side. A delightful and heartfelt tribute to the enduring bond between humans and dogs.
• Comes from an old Dutch collection.

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Dogs played a significant and multifaceted role in Han dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD) culture and art, where they were valued as companions, guardians, hunters, and even ritual animals. Their frequent depiction in tomb figurines, burial murals, and literary records reflects both their practical roles and symbolic meanings in Han society.

Dogs in Daily Life

 Guardians and Companions

• Dogs were kept as watchdogs, protecting rural homes, granaries, and livestock.
• They also served as companions in both urban and noble households, a role evident in the affectionate detail given to dog figurines found in tombs.

 Hunting Aides

• Dogs were important in hunting expeditions, especially for aristocrats and the military elite.
• Certain breeds were valued for speed and strength, depicted alongside falcons and horses in elite hunting scenes.

Dogs in Han Funerary Art and Tombs

 Clay Tomb Figurines

• Han tombs frequently include clay dog figures, often placed near the entrances or among servant and domestic animal figurines.
• These dogs are usually sculpted in alert postures, with ears pricked, indicating their role as guardians of the tomb.

 Symbolic Role in the Afterlife

• Like pigs, horses, and chickens, dogs were buried in miniature form to accompany the deceased in the afterlife, ensuring continuity of comfort, security, and social function.
• The Han belief in the afterlife emphasized creating a replica of earthly life, and dogs were part of that familiar world.

Dogs in Han Literature and Beliefs

 Texts and Records

• Han dynasty texts such as the Rites of Zhou mention dogs as part of ritual offerings, particularly in agricultural or protective ceremonies.
• Dogs were also listed in livestock censuses, showing their economic importance.

 Ritual Use and Animal Sacrifice

• In earlier Chinese history, dog sacrifice (犬祭) was practiced to purify spaces or ward off evil. While less common by the Han, symbolic representations of dogs may reflect residual ritual significance.
• Some Daoist practices in Han times associated dogs with warding off malevolent spirits.

Representation in Han Art

 Sculpture and Pottery

• Dogs were often modeled in unglazed or low-fired clay.
• Styles varied: some were stylized with exaggerated features (bulging eyes, curled tails), others were realistic with visible musculature and expressive faces.
• Certain sculptures depict dogs in motion—leaping or barking, emphasizing their dynamic role.

 Breeds and Types

• Figurines suggest a range of breeds: mastiff-like guard dogs, spitz-type dogs, and small lap dogs.
• There is evidence of selective breeding in Han kennels, particularly in aristocratic households.

Dogs as Cultural Symbols

• Loyalty and vigilance: Dogs represented trustworthy guardians.
• Earthly anchors: Their presence in tombs reminded the dead of their earthly relationships.
• Daoist associations: Some beliefs linked dogs to protective energies in cosmic balance.

Summary

In Han dynasty culture and art, dogs were deeply integrated into the rhythms of life and death. They guarded homes, hunted game, and followed their masters even into the afterlife—rendered in clay with attention and respect. These loyal companions reveal much about Han values: security, continuity, and the close relationship between humans and animals.

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