Model of a Watchtower with a Courtyard Basin (Mingqi)
Sculpture, architectural model with basin, ceramic earthenware • Anonymous Chinese artisan or provincial ceramic workshop
Style & Movement
Ancient Chinese Funerary Art (Han Dynasty)
Medium & Technique
Lead-glazed earthenware with green glaze and molded details
Creation Period
Eastern Han dynasty (25–220 CE)
Dimensions & Format
Estimated height approximately 60-70 cm, circular basin diameter approximately 40-50 cm, three-dimensional freestanding sculpture
Subject Description
A multi-tiered architectural tower model set inside a large circular pond or basin. The structure features intricate balconies, tiled roofs, and is populated with molded figures of archers, musicians, birds, and dogs, reflecting Han dynasty elite domestic architecture and cosmological beliefs about the afterlife.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good, typical for excavated ancient ceramic artifacts with localized glaze degradation, encrustation, and minor structural repairs
Estimated Market Value
$50,000 - $80,000
Auction Estimate
$40,000 - $60,000
Provenance History
Excavated from an Eastern Han elite tomb in China, acquired through the international antiquities market or museum deaccession, currently displayed in a museum gallery setting
Art Historical Significance
Highly significant for understanding Han dynasty domestic architecture, agricultural estates, and burial customs (mingqi or spirit utensils meant to serve the deceased in the afterlife)
Notable Features
Exquisite architectural detailing including interlocking bracket sets (dougong), animated figures of animals and archers surrounding the base, and characteristic iridescent green lead patina resulting from centuries of burial
Condition Issues
Surface wear, soil encrustation, crazing of the lead glaze, fading and flaking of pigments, potential historical breaks and professional re-adhering of architectural elements
Conservation Recommendations
Stable museum display environment with controlled relative humidity (45-55%) and stable temperatures to prevent further lead-glaze deterioration or flaking