Han Dynasty Style Glazed Ceramic Boar Figurine
Estimated value
$150 - $450Rarity
Uncommon(5/10)Category
Ceramics & PotteryEra
Han Dynasty (206 BCE – 220 CE) styleOrigin
🇨🇳 ChinaAuthenticity
HAN DYNASTY STYLE GLAZED CERAMIC BOAR FIGURINE: IDENTIFICATION
A lead-glazed earthenware tomb figurine of a standing boar or pig, featuring a characteristic three-part segmented molding construction. The surface displays a degraded green lead glaze that has developed a matt, earthy patina due to prolonged burial. The stocky quadrupedal form includes a snout with protruding tusks and a slight curvature to the tail, typical of livestock representations found in funerary architectural sets from the Han period.
Compare with other ceramic pieces in the archive: Alabaster Urn-Shaped Vase, Chinese Blue and White 'Three Friends of Winter' Stem Cup, Ming Style, Barbotine Majolica Palace Jardinière and Pedestal.
COLLECTOR NOTES
The iridescent film often seen on these figurines, known as 'silvering', is actually a microscopic layering of lead carbonate caused by tomb humidity over 2,000 years.
SCARCITY
Genuine antiques with fewer examples on the market. Named makers, documented provenance, or early production examples.
Rarity 5/10. Curiosa currently catalogues 21 ceramics items at rarity 5 or higher.
Typical Characteristics
- Limited production
- Named makers
- Growing collector demand
Confidence Factors
- Han style green-glazed mingqi are among the most frequently reproduced items in the Chinese art market
- The segmentation lines appear exceptionally clean, which can sometimes indicate a 'marriage' of parts or a modern casting method
- Absence of 'silvering' iridescence despite significant glaze degradation
Expert review recommended. Consider consulting a specialist before making purchasing decisions.
CERAMICIST'S ASSESSMENT
Decorative Arts Specialist
The form and glaze type are highly suggestive of Han Dynasty production, but the frequency of convincing reproductions in this specific category necessitates a cautious confidence level.
KEY EVIDENCE
- 1Form matches documented Han Dynasty tomb boars held in collections like the British Museum.
- 2Glaze color is consistent with copper-oxide lead glazes of the Han period.
- 3Separation lines align with the traditional multi-part mold construction used in mass-producing tomb figures.
- 4Exposed earthenware body shows typical low-fire terracotta color.
UNCERTAINTIES
- •The vertical splits are suspiciously uniform, possibly suggesting the piece was recently assembled from a mold rather than suffering natural stress fractures.
- •Lack of 'root marks' or calcareous deposits often found on genuine excavated pieces.
WHAT WOULD IMPROVE CERTAINTY
- →Perform a Thermoluminescence (TL) test to determine the date of last firing.
- →Examine the interior of the splits for signs of modern adhesives or fresh ceramic breaks.
- →Check for iridescence under a raking light to see if microscopic silvering is present.
CONDITION & GRADE
Grading breakdown
The grade is limited by the major structural splits through the torso and the substantial loss of the original green glaze luster due to chemical degradation.
Condition
Object shows significant structural distress including two vertical fractures or separation lines where the original molded segments have loosened. Visible loss of glaze on the feet reveals a buff-to-reddish earthenware body, and the snout shows minor chipping.
CERAMICS MARKET VALUE
Updated: May 10, 2026
Who buys this
Collectors of early Chinese ceramics and scholars of archaeological tomb figures.
What increases value
- •Integrity of the green glaze
- •Presence of 'silvering' or iridescence
- •Confirmed Han Dynasty dating via TL testing
What lowers value
- •Structural instability from torso splits
- •High prevalence of modern 20th-century reproductions
- •Legal provenance requirements for ancient Chinese artifacts
What makes top-tier examples
- •Extensive silver-colored iridescence covering the surface
- •Clear, crisp modeling of the head and tusks
- •Documented provenance before the 1970 UNESCO Convention
Grade & condition
Glaze retention, structural soundness, and presence of authentic burial encrustations.
Rarity & demand
For informational purposes only, not a formal appraisal.
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