Sixteenth International Conference on the Arts in Society

Abstract

Different glass containers have been discovered in tombs dated to Han Dynasty. Some of these glass containers were plausibly made outside China, while some of them undoubtedly were locally manufactured. Archaeological finds to date indicate that some of the forms of the glass containers are not originated in glass, and the sources of varied forms are different and some of them are intricate. Interestingly, some glass vessels have been mingled with their counterparts made by other material in the tombs. By comparing data from widespread sites, this paper seeks to provide a clearer overview of the situation of glass containers buried in tombs, explore the possible sources of the containers, and also bring to light patrons’ incentives for selecting glass as a medium for these containers.