Ca. 206 BC - 220 AD. Han dynasty. A hollow-formed terracotta rabbit figurine with a white pelt and coral-pink pigmentation on the nose and in the inner ears. The rabbit is depicted sitting back, on its haunches, with its forelegs raised, as if eating. Its drooping ears indicates its relaxed attitude. In the Chinese tradition, the rabbit is the luckiest of animals and symbolises elegance, beauty and mercy. The Han Dynasty, which ruled between 202 BC–220 AD, brought great prosperity and stability to China, reigning over a golden age of classical Chinese civilisation during which China saw major advances including the widespread development of a monetary economy and the invention of paper, as well as much progress in the decorative arts. Excellent condition. Comes fully authenticated with a TL test from Ralf Kotalla laboratory, Germany. Size: L:260mm / W:190mm ; 2.9kg. Provenance: From an old Oxfordshire collection formed in the 1990s.