Measurements: 12.2 cm high, 16.9 cm long, 24.6 cm wide
Period: Han dynasty (202 BCE--220 CE)
Provenance: The Yanshi section of the Zhongzhou Grand Channel, Henan, 1960.

Made from gray terracotta, its rectangular form has flat protruding rims of crossed beams that form a rectangular well edge, on which rests a wooden frame surmounted by a hip roof, under which are a free pulley and two small jars for drawing water. On the obverse side of the wellhead, the scene appears to be molded with a figure walking fast in the center, his left hand holding a pot and his right shoulder carrying a pole. The scene is flanked by inscriptions,“Dongjing” and “Miehuo”.

Also known as "Jingxiu", "Dongjing" is one of the Twenty-Eight Mansions. It earned its name through the formation of the linked locations that resemble the Chines character Jing (well).

Additionally, the Jingxiu is to the east, thus also earning it the name of  Dongjing (lit. eastern well). Inscribing “Dongjing” on the well is presumably due to the ancients believing that the Jingxiu in the sky was closely related to the floods and droughts in the earthly world. The words "Miehuo"(lit. extinguishing fire) indicates the special role of the well.

During the Han Dynasty, pottery wells became an important part of the burial goods. At present, the archaeologically discovered pottery wells of the Han Dynasty are not only large in number, but also in different shapes, reflecting different regional cultural characteristics. However, the pottery wells inscribed with "Dongjing" and “Miehuo” were few in number yet widely distributed. Therefore, they are likely just one type of popular burial goods for the upper classes at that time.