By the Han dynasty, tombs for important people were no longer deep burial pits; they had chambers and rooms and were furnished with mingqi, or replicas of worldly objects for the spirit of the deceased. Crisply molded and elaborately decorated, this model of a wellhead is a refined example of such sculptural representations, which might also include soldiers, animals, houses, granaries, or pigpens. Tombs became so ornate that an imperial edict of 31 CE noted, "The rich vie with one another in their excesses while the poor exhaust their savings to provide a presentable burial."

From right to left on the side of the wellhead shown here are the characters "extinguish fire," a man holding a flag that also bears the characters "extinguish fire," and, finally, the characters for "eastern well," perhaps a reference to a Chinese constellation that relates to water and is in the astronomical region known as the Red Bird of the South. This association may explain the presence of a bird behind the flag bearer. Each side of the model features a decoration in relief referring to a source of water, including bulls drinking from troughs, fish, and rippling water patterns. The character for "well" resembles the view of a wellhead from above.

I proclaim to the empire that all loyal officials, filial sons, and good brothers should adopt frugal practices in sending [their loved ones] to their final rest.
-Edict from Emperor Guangwu, 31 CE