Model of Bird

Art Historical Context

This delicate stoneware model of a bird, standing just 5¾ inches tall, hails from China's Yuan dynasty (1271–1368), a period marked by Mongol rule and cultural fusion. Crafted as tomb pottery—known as *mingqi*—it served a vital funerary purpose: to accompany the deceased into the afterlife, symbolizing vitality, freedom, or perhaps guardianship. Such small-scale models were often placed in tombs to recreate elements of the living world, ensuring comfort and prosperity for the spirit. The use of stoneware, a high-fired ceramic valued for its durability and subtle earthy tones, reflects advanced Tang-Song ceramic traditions carried into the Yuan era. Though the artist remains unknown, the piece's modest dimensions and precise form highlight the era's emphasis on realistic yet symbolic representation—evident in tags suggesting motifs of birds alongside houses, men, and women, evoking domestic scenes or communal harmony. Today, this artifact from the Charlotte C. and John C. Weber Collection graces the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Asian Art department, offering a window into Yuan beliefs in immortality and the enduring artistry of Chinese tomb wares.