This Han dynasty ear cup, dating to approximately the 2nd century BCE–2nd century CE, is a fine example of early Chinese ceramic tableware. The vessel is crafted in green-glazed pottery, a lead-based glaze typical of the Han period, producing a glassy surface that ranges from olive to emerald tones.
Formed with a shallow oval body and two small opposing loop “ears” at the rim, the cup’s design reflects both practicality and aesthetic refinement. These handles allowed for easy lifting, while the low, wide form made it ideal for drinking or serving wine. The glaze, applied over a buff clay body, often shows areas of iridescence or mineral encrustation from long burial, adding to its visual depth.
Green-glazed ear cups were commonly placed in Han tombs as mingqi—spirit goods meant to provide comfort and sustenance to the deceased in the afterlife. Their enduring form and subtle sheen capture the Han dynasty’s belief in permanence, luxury, and the continuity of earthly pleasures beyond death.
Today, such vessels are appreciated for their elegant simplicity and historical resonance, representing both the technological advancement and the philosophical ideals of Han material culture.
