Urn for cremated remains

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This partly glazed ceramic urn was made to contain the ashes of a cremated Buddhist in China during the Sui Dynasty (AD 581-618). Sui Dynasty cremation urns are fairly rare, because of the later persecution of Buddhists.

The urn is a tall stoneware jar, with glaze covering most of its surface. It has a broad mouth, long neck and slender oval body, and various applied decoration, including human and baby-like floating spirit figures around the neck.

According to Buddhist belief, the body is merely a temporary container for a person's life-essence, which may be reincarnated in many other bodies. Cremation is one way to return the body to its elements.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-180-000-769-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland Part 2
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  A.1919.240
• Date: 581-618 AD (Sui Dynasty)
  589 - 617 AD
  
• Material: Yellowish pottery
  Urn, funeral
  
• Dimensions: 18.50" H
  
• What: Urn, funeral
  
• Subject: Ceramics / vessels
  
• Who:
• Where: China
  
• Event:
• Description: Funeral urn of yellowish pottery with a greenish grey glaze, and an applied ornament of embryonic figures on the neck: China, ascribed to Sui dynasty, 589 - 617 AD
  
• References:
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