Ming Dynasty Green Glazed Pottery Offering Chest

Ming Dynasty, c. 1550–1644, China

A rare and evocative pottery model of a storage chest, originally made as part of a Ming Dynasty tomb group. The piece is almost entirely covered in a brilliant green glaze, its edges neatly outlined in black. The base remain unglazed.

The miniature chest is finely detailed, complete with hinges, and a clasp—closely imitating the functional storage chests used in life. Such chests were essential household furnishings, often used at court to store officials’ robes and hats. This model likely represents a clothes chest, created as a mingqi (“spirit good”) to accompany the deceased into the afterlife.

The custom of burying the dead with pottery models of everyday objects was deeply rooted in Chinese funerary tradition, reflecting both the belief that such items were required in the next world and the social status of the tomb’s occupant. Lead-glazed funerary wares first appeared during the Han Dynasty (206 BC–220 AD), developed into the celebrated sancai (“three-colour”) glazes of the Tang period, and continued into the Ming, where bold single-color glazes such as green became highly characteristic.

This finely crafted and well-preserved model chest is not only a fascinating reflection of daily life and funerary practice in the Ming Dynasty but also a striking example of the enduring Chinese tradition of glazed tomb wares.

Excellent condition. Surface wear, small chip and minor abrasions consistent with age, with areas of encrusted patina and rich earthen deposits across the surface. Size approx. 13,9cm x 7,6cm x 9,6cm.

Provenance: British private collection.

For a similar example see:

Model of chest, Asian Civilisations Museum, Accession Number: 1993-00107 (https://www.roots.gov.sg/Collection-landing/listing/1062148)