Celadon jar with architecture and proto-Buddhas

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Dated 287 (Western Jin period). In 1983, archaeologists unearthed this ancient relic from a tomb at the construction site of a steel factory in Hangzhou, China. The Zhejiang Provincial Museum's Gushan Branch proudly houses this significant find. This type of ceramicware is often referred to as "underground barns" or "soul urns." It was commonly used as grave goods in 3rd-century tombs throughout cities along China's southeast coast. In these ancient burials, the ceramicware served a purpose beyond mere decoration, carrying with it spiritual significance and deep cultural meaning. The cover of this jar takes the form of a majestic building complex, complete with a central tower, a courtyard enclosure, and multistory gateways adorned with beast guardians as columns. Notably, a row of seated figures – identified as proto-Buddhist icons – surrounds the bottom of the cover. This early instance of Buddhist iconography seamlessly merging into indigenous Chinese art is a testament to the profound cultural exchange that defined this era. Note: Due to the glare from museum lighting on the protective glass case, images of the jar's back are partially obscured, making photography challenging.