This model food offering would have been part of an elaborate set of burial wares. It is decorated with dark green lead glazes.The practice of using lead-glazed burial wares had already started during the Han dynasty (206 BCE-220 CE). This glaze technology further developed during the Tang dynasty (618-906) into ‘sancai’ (‘three-colour’) glaze. It included colours such as cream, amber, brown and blue. The glaze tradition continued into the Ming period.The custom was an ancient one. It is thought these wares were necessary to the deceased in the next world. Elaborate groups of burial wares were also a display of wealth and social status.
