Here are two unusual pieces of Chinese art. Turn of the century pieces such as these were made to illustrate to rural and largely illiterate communities the unique and inventive punishments that government officials would invent for anyone who broke the law. Young or old, all could clearly understand the dire warning that these pieces conveyed.
In hopes for a son
This piece of Tz'u chou pottery, late 19th century, was made in northern China. A fertility figurine, this small clay figure was thought to promote not only fertility, but also increase the chance of conceiving a much-desired male child.
