Ancient Chinese, Ming dynasty Pottery Funerary model

Nine miniature glazed funerary objects from the Ming period – (#4758)
Taking care of loved ones in the afterlife was and still is very important to the Chinese people. It was a custom to furnish a tomb with miniature glazed earthenware renderings of things that the deceased would have needed during his life. During the Ming dynasty (1368 - 1644), blue, green, brown and aubergine glazes were used to give pottery objects, also called tile-works, more appeal. The objects were acquired from antiques dealers in Hong Kong in the period 1989-1994 and were formerly part of the Lowlands-collection.

(1 & 2) Pair of saucers with peaches
Miniature pair of light blue glazed saucers with peaches. Peaches have a special meaning in China as they symbolize Longevity. Light blue is a much rarer color than the usual green and brown. Diameter 4.3 cm. Height 5.5 cm and 6.1 cm respectively.

(3) Ingot-shaped cakes
Miniature dark green glazed pottery dish with ingot-shaped cakes or bread. The glaze has some iridescence. Gold bars symbolized a wish for prosperity. Miniature pottery foodstuffs were often placed on a table together with other food items. Diameter dish 4.4 cm. Height including cakes 5.6 cm.

(4) Unidentified food items
Miniature green glazed pottery dish with some kind of foodstuffs. We have no idea what kind of food this is. Are these fruits? Diameter dish 5.2 cm. Height including food 7.4 cm.

(5) Melons
Miniature green glazed pottery dish with fruits, most probably melons. Taking care of loved ones in the afterlife was, and still is, very important to the Chinese people. Objects like this offering were placed on miniature altars copying the practices of every-day life in the past. Ming period (1368 – 1644). Height 6.0 cm. Diameter of the saucer 5.0 cm.

(6) Persimmons on a saucer – (3748)
Miniature dark green, light green and light brown glazed dish with fruits. We believe that these are persimmons also known as kaki (柿). The kaki is among the oldest plants in cultivation, known for its use in China for more than 2000 years. In some rural Chinese communities, the kaki fruit is seen as having a great mystical power that can be used to heal headaches, back pains and foot aches. This dish dates from the Ming period (1368 – 1644). Diameter dish 6.8 cm. Height including fruits 4.8 cm.

(7) Ingot-shaped cakes
Miniature greenish white glazed pottery dish. In our opinion the glaze may once have been green but it has changed to a silvery iridescence. Gold bars symbolized a wish for prosperity. Diameter dish 4.7 cm. Height including cakes 4.8 cm.

(8) Large fish
Miniature dark green, light green and amber glazed dish with a large fish, most probably a carp as it has a lot of scales. Diameter dish 7.0 cm. Height including fish 4.3 cm. Length fish 11.0 cm.

(9) Unglazed pig’s head
Miniature green glazed pottery dish with an unglazed pig’s head which once upon a time was cold-painted, most probably in pink. The paint has been washed off. Diameter dish 5.0 cm. Height including head 3.2 cm.

THE LAST PHOTO SHOWS THE COMPLETE COLLECTION. The blue box is NOT (!!!), repeat NOT included in the sale.

WE PREFER NOT TO SELL OR SHIP TO AMERICA BECAUSE OF THE COMPLICATED IMPORT PROCEDURE !!!