漢代筆記 vol.33 西雅圖藝術博物館：漢代鉛釉陶犬 - Seattle Art Museum, Lead-Glazed Earthenware Dog, Han Dynasty

這件鉛釉陶犬是Ruth Trubner為紀念Henry Trubner而捐赠西雅圖藝術博物的藏品，編號99.108，高約24.1公分，長約36.8公分。施鉛釉，造型為典型北方犬種（接近後世所稱的Chow Chow類型），頸部戴有鈴鐺項圈。館方說明指出，這類陶犬在漢代墓葬中作為陪伴墓主的隨葬品，延續其生前作為護衛、狩獵或牽引的角色；鈴鐺則可能用於警示邪靈。

Chow Chow是什麼狗？歷史背景

Chow Chow（鬆獅犬）是源自中國北方的古老犬種，歷史可追溯至數千年前。它屬於尖嘴、立耳、捲尾、被毛豐厚的北方犬類型，早期主要作為護衛犬、狩獵犬與雪地牽引犬使用。漢代墓葬中常見的陶犬，不少即呈現這類敦實短吻、神情警覺的特徵，學者與博物館常將其與後世Chow Chow的祖先類型聯繫起來。

這類犬在北方寒冷地區長期被飼養，既是實用的工作犬，也是陪伴犬。漢代人相信死後世界仍需護衛與伴侶，因此以陶製複製品隨葬，延續其生前的守護功能。本件頸部鈴鐺的設計，進一步強化了「警示邪靈」的象徵意義。

與後來唐代流行的細長獵犬（多受中亞影響）相比，漢代這種圓潤敦實的Chow Chow類型更強調本土北方犬的實用與陪伴性格，造型上也更顯憨厚可愛。

SACA觀察

這件漢代鉛釉陶犬造型特別圓潤，屬於比較罕見的「憨厚可愛」類型。漢代綠釉犬雖有幾個基本造型，但本件這種敦實、圓潤、神情憨厚的樣子具有一定的獨特性和辨識度。唐代陶犬多半是獵犬形象，風格完全不同。漢代綠釉犬的存世量其實比一般想像中要少，完整且釉色保存好的例子並不常見。

傳承清晰，由Ruth Trubner為紀念其夫Henry Trubner捐赠。Henry Trubner（1920–1999）是哈佛出身的東亞藝術史學者，1968年起擔任西雅圖藝術博物館亞洲藝術部負責人，後升任副館長，對館藏發展貢獻良多。

最近岡田美術館那件有名的唐三彩褐釉犬（被稱為「狗王」）即將在蘇富比香港上拍，估價15–30萬港元，以它的尺寸、傳承與稀缺性，最終有機會大幅超過估價，甚至達到數百萬港元以上。這類頂級唐代犬的高價成交，也可能帶動市場對早期陶犬的重新關注。

漢代鉛釉／綠釉陶犬在拍賣會上偶有出現，價格多集中在幾萬美元區間。完整、釉色好、帶項圈或鈴鐺細節的例子相對受歡迎。SACA曾記錄一件佳士得紐約大型漢代黃釉伏犬，以13,970美元成交（見拍賣筆記 vol.238）。真正大型、釉色飽滿且造型獨特的例子仍屬少數。

FAQ

Q1：這件陶犬代表什麼？

漢代墓葬中的陪伴犬。漢人相信死後世界仍需護衛與伴侶，因此以陶犬隨葬。本件頸部鈴鐺可能具有驅邪或警示功能。

Q2：為什麼說它是Chow Chow類型？

館方說明將其歸為Chow Chow一系。這是源自中國北方的古老犬種，早期作為護衛、狩獵與牽引犬使用。漢代陶犬常呈現這類敦實短吻、神情警覺的特徵，與後世Chow Chow的祖先類型密切相關。

Q3：漢代陶犬與唐代陶犬有何不同？

漢代陶犬多為鉛釉或彩繪，強調護衛與陪伴功能，造型相對樸實圓潤。唐代則出現三彩釉、更寫實或異域風格的獵犬形象，部分與宮廷賞玩有關。本件屬漢代典型的憨厚類型。

Q4：市場情況如何？

漢代鉛釉陶犬完整帶鈴鐺、釉色保存好的例子並不常見。價格通常屬中等，但頂級唐代三彩犬（如即將上拍的岡田美術館「狗王」）若創出高價，可能間接帶動早期陶犬的關注度。

This lead-glazed earthenware dog is a gift of Ruth Trubner in memory of Henry Trubner (accession 99.108). Height approximately 24.1 cm, length 36.8 cm. It is covered in lead glaze and represents a northern Chinese dog type close to what is later known as the Chow Chow. A collar with bells is modelled around the neck. The museum notes that such ceramic dogs were placed in Han tombs as companions for the deceased, continuing their roles as guards, hunters, or draft animals; the bells may have served to warn against harmful spirits.

What is a Chow Chow? Historical Background

The Chow Chow is an ancient northern Chinese breed whose history stretches back thousands of years. It belongs to the spitz-type group—pointed muzzle, erect ears, curled tail, and dense coat—and was traditionally used as a guard dog, hunting dog, and sled puller in cold northern regions. Many pottery dogs found in Han tombs display the sturdy build, short muzzle, and alert expression associated with this lineage; scholars and museums frequently link them to the ancestral type of the later Chow Chow.

These dogs were both practical working animals and companions. The Han believed the afterlife still required protection and company, so clay versions were interred with the dead to continue their guarding role. The modelled bells on this example further reinforce a protective, spirit-warning function.

Compared with the slender hunting hounds popular in the Tang dynasty (often influenced by Central Asian breeds), the rounded, solid Chow Chow type of the Han emphasizes the practical and companionable character of the native northern dog, giving it a distinctly endearing quality.

SACA Observation

This Han lead-glazed pottery dog is particularly rounded and plump in modelling, belonging to a relatively uncommon “honest and endearing” type. Although Han green-glazed dogs follow a few basic models, this solid, rounded, and charming expression has clear individuality and recognizability. Tang pottery dogs are mostly hunting hounds and differ entirely in style. Surviving Han green-glazed dogs are in fact fewer than often assumed; complete examples with good glaze preservation remain uncommon.

The piece has clear provenance, given by Ruth Trubner in memory of her husband Henry Trubner (1920–1999). Trubner was a Harvard-trained East Asian art historian who joined the Seattle Art Museum in 1968 as Curator of Asiatic Art and later served as Associate Director, making significant contributions to the collection.

The well-known Tang sancai amber-glazed dog from the Okada Museum of Art (often called the “Dog King”) is soon to appear at Sotheby’s Hong Kong with an estimate of HK$150,000–300,000. Given its size, provenance, and rarity, it has strong potential to exceed the estimate substantially, possibly reaching several million Hong Kong dollars. Such a high result for a top Tang dog may also draw renewed attention to earlier pottery dogs.

Market & Auction Comparables

Han lead-glazed and green-glazed pottery dogs appear occasionally at auction, with prices typically ranging from a few thousand to around ten or fifteen thousand US dollars. Complete examples with good glaze and collar or bell details are more sought after. SACA previously recorded a large Han amber-glazed recumbent dog sold at Christie’s New York for USD 13,970 (Auction Note vol.238). Large, well-glazed, and distinctive examples remain relatively scarce.

FAQ

Q1: What does this pottery dog represent?

A companion dog for the Han tomb. The Han believed the afterlife still required guards and companions, so ceramic dogs were interred with the dead. The bells on the collar may have served a protective or warning function.

Q2: Why is it identified as a Chow Chow type?

The museum associates it with the Chow Chow lineage, an ancient northern Chinese breed used for guarding, hunting, and draft work. Han pottery dogs frequently show the sturdy build and short muzzle characteristic of this ancestral type.

Q3: How do Han pottery dogs differ from Tang examples?

Han dogs are usually lead-glazed or painted, emphasizing guarding and companionship with relatively sober, rounded modelling. Tang examples include sancai-glazed pieces and more realistic or exotic hound types linked to court taste. This piece belongs to the typical Han “endearing” type.

Q4: How are these regarded on the market?

Complete Han lead-glazed dogs with good glaze and a modelled bell collar are less common than often thought. Prices are generally mid-range, but a strong result for the forthcoming Okada Museum Tang “Dog King” could indirectly raise interest in earlier pottery dogs.

館藏資料

Dog

206 B.C. – A.D. 220

China

Lead-glazed earthenware

9 1/2 × 14 1/2 × 5 in. (24.1 × 36.8 × 12.7 cm)

Gift of Ruth Trubner in memory of Henry Trubner, 99.108

Chow Chow—Chow Chow is the name of my breed, which is over 8,000 years old. I come from northern China where I was a guard dog, hunter, and sled puller. When my owner died, a clay version of me was created so that I could continue to be a trusty companion in my owner’s tomb... They also put a collar with bells on me so that I could shake a warning if a harmful spirit was approaching.

參考文獻 / References

1. Seattle Art Museum. Dog. Gift of Ruth Trubner in memory of Henry Trubner, accession no. 99.108.

   
   

   https://art.seattleartmuseum.org/objects/26285/dog

2. SACA. 拍賣筆記 vol.238 佳士得紐約：漢代黃釉狗，13970美元成交.

   
   

   https://www.artsaca.com/post/auction238

3. SACA. 拍賣筆記 vol.398 蘇富比香港2026：唐三彩狗王，岡田博物館.

   
   

   https://www.artsaca.com/post/auction398

4. SACA. 三彩筆記 vol.33 大都會博物館：唐三彩綠釉陶犬，對比岡田美術館唐三彩犬.

   
   

   https://www.artsaca.com/post/sancai33

   
   

5. Christie’s New York. A Large Amber-Glazed Red Pottery Figure of a Recumbent Dog, Han Dynasty. Sold for USD 13,970 (2025).