This hand-painted cocoon jar also known as 'yadanhu' (duck's egg jar) is a 'mingqi' or burial ware. The body has a horizontal oval shape with rounded ends. The neck is raised and flares to form the mouth rim. The foot rim is similarly raised and flares slightly. It is decorated in white and pink pigments comprising swirling cloud patterns interspersed with vertical lines. Three circular bands of white and pink pigments are found on the neck.The practice of using lead-glazed burial wares had already started during the Han dynasty and it continued into the Ming period (1368-1644). The custom of burying objects with the deceased stems from the belief in life after death.
