Thehunping (Chinese:魂瓶;pinyin:Húnpíng), translated assoul jar orsoul vase, is a type of ceramicfunerary urn often found in the tombs of theHan dynasty and especially theSix Dynasties periods of early imperial China.[1] It was characteristic of theJiangnan region in modern southernJiangsu andZhejiang provinces.[2]
The purpose of ahunping is somewhat enigmatic, but archaeologists suggest that they may have been used as containers for fruit accompanying the deceased into the afterlife.[1] According to theMetropolitan Museum of Art, the ancients may have hoped that the soul of the deceased would eventually reside in the vessel.[2]
Since the last decades of the Han dynasty, the top ofhunping vessels started to be decorated with miniature sculptures of men, animals, birds, etc. Gradually, sculptural compositions became more elaborate, including images of entire buildings.[1]
It is due to an early-Jin dynastyhunping, dating to 272, that an early example of atortoise-born stele is known to us.[3]
| Ancient pottery |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Earthenwares, stonewares and others | ||
| Porcelain | ||
| Decoration | ||
| Kilns, shapes | ||