China: Ceramic model of a storage tower, Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220 CE), Shandong Provincial Museum, Jinan. The Han Dynasty was an imperial dynasty that ruled during a golden age in Chinese history and has influenced the identity of Chinese civilisation ever since. First established by Emperor Gao (Liu Bang), it was briefly usurped by the Xin Dynasty (9-23 CE), so is separated into two periods: the Western Han (202 BCE - 9 CE) and the Eastern Han (25-220 CE). Porcelain and ceramics were made in great quantities during the Han Dynasty years, with developments in new techniques and artforms leading to more decorative types of pottery and earthenware. Tomb figures became popular across Han society, as well as model houses and figurines of farm animals.