{"product_id":"ming-dynasty-pottery-miniature-food-offering","title":"Ming Dynasty Pottery Miniature Food Offering","description":"\u003ch3 class=\"p1\"\u003eMing Dynasty, c. 1550–1644, China\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eA rare and finely modelled miniature pottery food offering in the form of three walnuts, created as a \u003ci\u003emingqi\u003c\/i\u003e (spirit object) to accompany the deceased into the afterlife. Beautifully rendered and covered in a bright ochre lead glaze, this charming funerary model formed part of the rich tradition of burial goods placed within tombs to ensure comfort, nourishment, and prosperity in the world beyond. In Chinese culture, walnuts (\u003ci\u003ehe tao\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e核桃\u003c\/span\u003e) have long been associated with harmony, longevity, wisdom, and good fortune, their symbolism reinforced through linguistic wordplay, traditional medicine, and their popularity among the scholarly and imperial elite.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe vibrant lead glaze reflects the celebrated \u003ci\u003esancai\u003c\/i\u003e (\"three-colour\") ceramic tradition, perfected during the Ming dynasty. Employing combinations of green, amber, cream, ochre, and brown glazes, Ming potters produced richly coloured surfaces that emulated the appearance of more precious materials such as jade, bronze, and lacquer. On this example, the lustrous ochre glaze enhances the naturalistic modelling of the walnuts while demonstrating the technical refinement and artistic sophistication of Ming ceramic workshops.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe widespread production of \u003ci\u003emingqi\u003c\/i\u003e during the Ming dynasty continued a funerary tradition that had flourished in China since the Han dynasty. Miniature models of food, vessels, servants, animals, and household furnishings were carefully arranged within tombs to recreate the comforts of earthly life, ensuring that the deceased would enjoy abundance, status, and well-being in the afterlife. Such objects provide valuable insight into Chinese burial customs and the enduring belief in the close relationship between the material and spiritual worlds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eBoth visually appealing and rich in symbolic meaning, this miniature walnut offering is a fine example of Ming dynasty funerary pottery. It reflects the artistic refinement, cultural sophistication, and deeply rooted spiritual traditions of imperial China, offering a tangible connection to one of the world's most enduring ceramic and funerary traditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eGood condition. Surface wear and abrasions commensurate with age, nicks and chip, with fading to some finer features, and light encrustations within recessed areas. Nice earthen deposits throughout. Glazing defects and firing flaws. Size approx. 4,2cm x 3,8cm x 3,9cm. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eProvenance: British private collection\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eFor a similar example see:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eModel of food offering, Asian Civilisations Museum - National Heritage Board, Singapore, Accession Number: 1994-00478.                                (https:\/\/www.roots.gov.sg\/Collection-Landing\/listing\/1069714)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eReferences and further reading:\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Matter of Tang Tomb Figures; A New Perspective on a Group of Terracotta Animals and Riders, Lucien Van Valen \u0026amp; Isabelle Garachon, The Rijksmuseum Bulletin, Volume 62. pp. 218-239, 2014.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eDream of Ideal Life in Ancient China: Ceramic Miniatures of Architectures, Household Goods, People and Animals, Aichi.ken Toji Shiryokan, Seto, 2005, no. 14, p. 34.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eAntecedents of Sui-Tang Burial Practices in Shaanxi, Mary Fong, Artibus Asiae 51, no:s. 3–4 (1991), pp. 147–98.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eMingqi - Items for the next world, Jan-Erik Nilsson, Gotheborg.com (https:\/\/gotheborg.com\/glossary\/mingqi.shtml)\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eImmortality of the Spirit: Chinese Funerary Art from the Han and Tang Dynasties Exhibition Catalogue, Jill J. Deupi, Ive Covaci \u0026amp; Leopold Swergold, Immortality of the Spirit - Ephemera. 1, Fairfield University, 2012. (https:\/\/digitalcommons.fairfield.edu\/immortality_ephemera\/1)\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Vibrant Role of Mingqi in Early Chinese Burials, Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History, Heather Colburn Clydesdale, Independent Scholar, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, April 2009. (www.metmuseum.org\/toah\/hd\/mgqi\/hd_mgqi.htm)\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Göta's World","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57223286685961,"sku":"100100637","price":165.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0695\/1557\/5561\/files\/IMG_0305.jpg?v=1785159264","url":"https:\/\/gotasworld.com\/products\/ming-dynasty-pottery-miniature-food-offering","provider":"Göta's World","version":"1.0","type":"link"}