During the Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD), jade figurines of servants were commonly placed in tombs as burial goods, believed to serve the deceased in the afterlife. These jade figures, often depicted in kneeling positions, represent a tradition of funerary art related to the earlier Qin dynasty terracotta warriors. The practice of burying servants with the deceased, whether living or in effigy, reflected the belief in an afterlife similar to earthly life, where the deceased would require the same comforts and services.
Jade pigs were a common funerary item during the Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD), often placed in the hands of the deceased to symbolize wealth and prosperity in the afterlife. These jade carvings typically depict pigs in a recumbent or cylindrical form, with features like flat snouts, pointed ears, and tucked-under legs delineated by grooves. The pigs are often found in pairs and are made from celadon or grey-green jade, sometimes with russet or buff inclusions.
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