Ca. 202 BC - 220 AD. A hollow moulded terracotta goose standing gracefully on naturalistically shaped legs that add to the overall realism of the piece. The bird's polychrome plumage is striking, with well-defined wings that are folded. The long neck is gracefully arched, while the head is rendered in a vibrant red hue that contrasts beautifully with the wide-open, black eyes and the finely detailed beak. The goose motif was prevalent in the Han Dynasty as it symbolized fidelity and filial piety. The goose's ability to mate for life and its role as a protective parent made it a popular subject in art.Size: L:140mm / W:153mm ; 640gProvenance: From the private collection of a Somerset gentleman; previously in an old British collection, formed in the 1980s on the UK /European art markets.