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Ancient pottery iron decorated with a carved mythical beast
Updated: Dec 29, 2025
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Meet this charming Western Jin Dynasty (265-316) pottery iron. At first glance, the little creature on top looks like a beckoning cat. Actually, it's Tianlu, a mythical beast believed to attract good fortune and ward off evil in ancient Chinese lore.
The iron was cleverly designed: a pan-shaped iron rests horizontally on a stand, supported by a sturdy upturned bowl-shaped base and a bamboo joint-shaped pillar. Perched on top, Tianlu greets you by stretching out its tiny paws. This carving conveyed ancient Chinese people's hopes for a better life.
As a burial item, this iron is now housed at the Han-Wei Luoyang Ancient City Site Museum.
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