Wellhead

Well models with protruding bottom edges originated in Guangdong in the middle Western Han. This type of Guangdong well model with a cylindrical well shaft emerged in the late Western Han and continued throughout the Eastern Han (Guangzhou Mus. 1981 vol. II: pls. 85, 100, 145). The shape and ornamentation of Guangdong and Hunan well models like this piece date the models to the middle through the late Eastern Han. The wide edge of the model's base accurately depicts a Han device used to prevent soil erosion around the well, which would result from the spilling of water as it was transferred from the well bucket into individual containers.