Museum Updates
Adorable duck-shaped lacquer ladle from Han Dynasty
Updated: Jul 7, 2026
China Bound
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Ancient tableware could be surprisingly adorable. This duck-shaped lacquer ladle from the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220) was used to serve wine at banquets. Its plump body with a silver rim holds the wine, while the duck's head forms the handle. Delicate red paints bring its feathers, wings, and webbed feet to life, and graceful black cloud motifs decorate the inside, adding a touch of elegance to every pour.
Unearthed in Yangzhou, Jiangsu province, in 1996, this piece is now housed in the Yangzhou Museum.
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