Green-glazed pottery 'figural' lamp, Han Dynasty

The lamp shaped as a kneeling female figure wearing long robes, her face with a large nose, deep-set eyes and pronounced cheeks, holding an infant in her lap, her cylindrical and elongated headgear forming the cupped oil holder, wood stand.

Period : Han Dynasty (206 BC - 220 AD)
Type : Lamp Stand
Medium : Green glazed pottery
Height : 27.7cm
Provenance : The piece was acquired in Hong Kong in the year 1999.
Condition : Fair (Repair on the neck and chin of the face)
Reference :
1) Bonhams London 9 November 2017 - FINE CHINESE ART Lot 57
(Price realised : 2,750 GBP / Type : Highly related)
https://www.bonhams.com/auction/24101/lot/57/a-rare-green-glazed-pottery-figural-lamp-han-dynasty-2/

2) The MET - Accession Number: 24.184 - Figure of a Man
(Type : Highly related)
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/62853

* Han Dynasty Pottery

Han Dynasty pottery, originating from one of China's most significant historical periods (202 BCE – 220 CE), is renowned for its technological and artistic achievements in ceramic production. These artifacts typically feature a distinctive green glaze, although other colors were also used. The pottery often includes intricate decorative motifs, such as animals, mythological figures, and geometric patterns.

The craftsmanship during the Han Dynasty was advanced, with pottery techniques that were innovative for the time. These pieces were not only utilitarian but also held ceremonial and symbolic significance. The shapes and designs of Han Dynasty pottery vary, including items like urns, vases, and figures, reflecting both the daily life and the spiritual beliefs of the period.