Chinese Han Style Standing Figure of Pig

An iron pig with all the elegance of a boulder.

Chinese makers cast this Han style standing figure of a pig in iron in the 18th century. Pig figures were commonly buried in Han period tombs and are associated with prosperity and the household. This later work in the same spirit is solidly built, with a long snout, thick short legs and a rounded back. The heavy rust covers it in orange and brown, lumpy and flaking. It looks like it has been dug up rather than made.

About 7 inches tall and 11 long. A fine anchor for a stack of books.