Sancai pottery lion

This lead-glazed or 'sancai' (‘three colour’) lion would have been part of a group of pottery tomb guardians. The lion is glazed in three colours - green, brown and yellow. It stands on a two-tiered pedestal and holds a pole with a little lion on top.The practice of using lead-glazed burial wares had already started during the Han dynasty (206 BCE-220 CE). This glaze technology further developed during the Tang dynasty (618-906) into ‘sancai’ glaze. This tradition of decoration continued into the Ming period. The custom of making ‘mingqi’ or burial wares was an ancient one. It is thought these wares were necessary for the deceased in the next world. Elaborate groups of burial wares were also a display of wealth and social status.

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