Antique Chinese Ming Dynasty Mingqi Funerary Offering Tomb Object

  
Antique Chinese melons in vessel as two (2) separate pieces, created as a funerary, or tomb object. These melons nestled in its vessel is an example of Mingqi, also known as objects made for burial, meant to be taken with you to the afterlife. The Terracotta Army is the most famous example of these kinds of burial objects. Mingqi represented things considered important from this world that would give you comfort and status in the afterlife. Melons were symbolic of family unity, and so this item may have been intended to be included in a loved one's tomb. It appears to date from the Ming Dynasty due to the condition and type of glaze and pottery, as well as its intended use. This chair would have been part of a group of funeral objects placed in tomb during the Ming dynasty which lasted from the 14th to 17th century. Sancai, which literally means "three colors" is a type of decorated, generally Chinese, pottery. The brown and green colors in the sancai glaze technique comes from combining metal oxides to a lead glaze. 4.5" x 4" (with melon). Crack to vessel handle, may have been repaired (See pics).