Lamp with Human Form

Eastern Han dynasty (25–220)

China

This figurative sculpture, whose head balances a cup for oil or wax, probably provided a symbolic beacon for the soul in the perpetual darkness of the tomb. The small figure may relate to ancient burial rites at which the deceased person was represented by a child.

Status: On View, Gallery 133
Department: Arts of Asia

Title: Lamp with Human Form
Place: China (Artist's nationality)
Date: 206 BCE–222 CE
Medium: Earthenware with lead glaze
Dimensions: 29 × 13.9 × 13.5 cm (11 7/16 × 5 1/2 × 5 5/16 in.)
Credit Line: Lent by Mrs. Potter Palmer
Reference Number: 979.1923
IIIF Manifest The International Image Interoperability Framework (IIIF) represents a set of open standards that enables rich access to digital media from libraries, archives, museums, and other cultural institutions around the world. Learn more.: https://api.artic.edu/api/v1/artworks/130751/manifest.json

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