PLATE IV. 



Han Porcelanous Pottery. 

 Large globular vase of harmonious proportions, decorated with two opposite 

 animal (tiger)-heads in flat relief, holding dead rings, of the same style as in com- 

 mon Han pottery. In the middle between these heads, but somewhat higher, and 

 opposite each other, are two semi-circular loop handles stuck on to the body of 

 the vessel, obviously for the passage of a cord, by means of which the vase was 

 held and carried. Each handle is bordered by two knotted bands moulded sep- 

 arately in high relief. This feature, — that is, the combination of loop handles with 

 tiger-heads, — to my knowledge, does not occur in ordinary Han pottery. The 

 slip appears to have been lost in part of the neck. The glaze exhibits various 

 tinges of light green, mingled with the deep brown of the slip, and interspersed 

 with black spots, the brown approaching that of maple-leaves in the autumn. 

 The red-brown slip covers one side of the neck and almost the entire base; in the 

 middle portion the porcelanous glaze appears to be laid over this slip. Three 

 bands, each consisting of three concentric grooves, in the same manner as in Han 

 pottery, are laid around the body. The bottom is flat, and has along the rim 

 a broad grayish ring of irregular form and depth. The walls of the vessel are un- 

 usually thick, and its weight is almost six pounds. 



Third century A.D. 

 Height, 35.4 cm. Cat. No. 1 18720. 



