Funerary Objects from Han Dynasty - Living through Miniature Clay Models

During the Han dynasty (206 BC - 220 AD) in ancient China, many tombs were built for wealthy farmers, merchants, and officials. Excavations of these tombs have uncovered clay models of various items related to daily life. These include wells, stoves, barns, and storehouses, as well as cooking jars and food storage vessels.

The inclusion of these items in the tombs reflects the hope that the deceased would have no problems living in the afterlife. Items made for the sole purpose of burying in tombs are called Minqi. Life-size versions were too big to bury in tombs, so the clay miniatures were used instead.

The shapes and decorations found among Minqi make them stand out. For example, you can see relief of a number of food ingredients and cooking-tools on stove-shaped models, and then imagine how they were cooking. We hope you enjoy the sights of life roughly 2000 years ago, as glimpsed through the clay models.