East Asia, China, Han Dynasty, ca. 206 BCE to 220 CE. A remarkable pottery tripodal vessel known as a lian or zun, with a molded mountain and/or lotus petal lid! The cylindrical body rests on 3 zoomorphic shaped legs- molded heads, limbs, and wide eyes which perhaps represent bears. The fitted lid rests within a thick rim, decorated in high relief with mountain peaks or lotus petals- emerging upward in a conical shape. The surface is glazed in a light green with mineral and earthen deposits throughout. These vessels are often called "hill jars" because of the lid shape that represented the Kunlun Mountains where the Daoist immortals resided. These may have been used to store food or wine and the funerary examples - such as this piece, may have functioned as incense burners. Size (w/ lid): 7.5" Diameter x 8" H (19 cm x 20.3 cm) Provenance: ex-Nancy and Dr. E.F. Simpson collection, Los Angeles, California, USA, acquired from 1970 to 2000 All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping. #171917