Urn for cremated remains

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.

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Online ID:	000-180-000-769-C
Image Rights Holder:	National Museums Scotland
Project:	0504: 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
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
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