Han Dynasty pottery dove a portrayal of longing for longevity

Today is the Double Ninth Festival, a Chinese cultural celebration dedicated to and focused on the elderly. Traditionally, the dove is revered as a symbol of longevity because of its unobstructed esophagus, making it a bird that doesn't choke. This signifies the importance of seniors eating without difficulty, ensuring a healthy appetite, robust well-being, and a long life.

This red pottery dove from the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 24) serves as a testament to this heartfelt wish. The dove, portrayed with a simple yet striking design, is depicted in exquisite detail as it gracefully holds two identical painted pots in each of its wings.

Unearthed from a tomb in Jinan in 1969, the pottery dove with extremely high historical and artistic value is one of the treasures of the Jinan Museum.