~ Circa 100 BC Chinese Han Dynasty Kettle ~
This is a 2100 year year old hard, grey clay kettle from China made during the Han Dynasty which lasted from 206 BC until 208 AD.
Hard clay was mostly used to make daily-use articles and were black or grey in colour. Soft clay was normally painted with red patterns and elaborately decorated, for making funeral objects.
In the Han Dynasty, daily use utensils made of clay became popular, including bins, stoves, ovens, wells and kettles.
~ Dimensions ~
The kettle is 9 inches (23 cm) tall, 9 inches (23 cm) from the spout to the reverse and has a 6.9 inches (17.5 cm) diameter.
The kettle weighs 1.05 kg.
~ Condition ~
The base of the kettle has cracked and has been repaired with glue and a white ceramic has been used to fill in the missing area. The lip of the spout has two small chips missing the largest being 13 mm wide. The kettle is otherwise in good condition for its age.