Chinese jar with dragon-and-tiger motif

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Ceramic artistry from the Eastern Han dynasty (25-220) is showcased in this long-necked jar with a striking black glaze. Displayed at the Zhejiang Provincial Museum Gushan Branch in Hangzhou, China, the shoulder of this ancient vessel features an intriguing ensemble of humanoid figures accompanied by their animal counterparts: a dragon adorned with horns and a tiger without any protrusions, as well as two winged creatures that resemble wild geese or cranes. These mythical beings march in unison around the jar's neck in a counter-clockwise direction. Two acrobats are depicted attached to the neck of the vessel, alongside three projected animal heads that may represent tigers or monkeys, and at least five small birds, some of which are broken or missing.