Western Jin Dynasty

Unearthed in 1974 at Ganjiaxiang, Qixia District, Nanjing

This vessel takes the form of a tiger, with a ferocious face, raised head, and its neck extended as if letting out a long roar. A handle connects the center of the head to the lower back along the spine. Flying-wing motifs are incised on the abdomen, while the limbs are slender and bent, revealing sharp tiger claws. The entire piece is covered with a celadon glaze of bright, lustrous green, making it an outstanding example of early Western Jin celadon art.

The tiger-shaped vessel is one of the typical forms of early celadon ware. During the Western Jin period, such vessels often feature a molded tiger head at the mouth, a narrowed waist, and bulging fore and hind legs. The vivid tiger form reflects the distinctive artistic style and aesthetic sensibilities of the Western Jin Dynasty.