Pale green glazed earthenware ladle with a rounded bowl and a handle ending in a sculpted dragon head, on a gray background.

Han Dynasty Earthenware Ladle with Dragon-Head Handle

A shallow, rounded earthenware bowl with a long handle ending in a sculpted animal head with open jaws. The surface is covered in an uneven, mottled green lead glaze that pools and thins over the pale clay body. The bowl rests on a small flat foot against a plain gray background.

Artist: Unknown
Date: Han dynasty (206 B.C.–A.D. 220)
Medium: Earthenware with lead green glaze
Source: Art Institute of Chicago
Size: 1686 × 933 px

Download full size

Public domain · Art Institute of Chicago releases this image under CC0 (latest date 220).
Rights checked 2026-11-05 · tier A · as stated by the source: CC0 (Art Institute of Chicago, is_public_domain=true)

Credit (appreciated, not required for public-domain works): Art Institute of Chicago, Lucy Maud Buckingham Collection

ancient china pottery earthenware asian art chinese ceramics green glaze ancient vessel lead glaze dragon head