Han Lacquered Ding with Cloud Design

Copyright: 5,000 Year Comparision of Chinese And Foreign Civilizations, China Pictorial Press.

In different dynasties, Chinese Ding(vessel) has its own features. 

Cloud designs in the Han Dynasty had extremely broad usage and were very fashionable. This Han Dynasty lacquered ding was unearthed in Changsha, Hunan Province. The surface of the ding is covered with a cloud design, with lines that flow like water. It really looks like clouds floating freely about the sky. The appearance of Han Dynasty cloud designs is mostly continuations of those from the Qin Dynasty, which you can tell by looking at the design on this ding. It is extremely similar to the cloud patterns that can be seen on lacquered boxes and other artifacts from the Qin Dynasty.