Photograph by Shannon Ruff, Canon EOS Mark II D digital slr-2008.

Tomb Tile

Artist Unknown

CultureChinese | Han dynasty

Date206BC-220AD

MediumClay

DimensionsOverall: 20 3/4 x 2 1/2 x 54 1/4 in. (52.7 x 6.4 x 137.8 cm)

Credit LineMuseum Memorial Fund

Object number50.25.2

On View

Not on view

DescriptionTile has 3" borders of lozenge diaper design stamped on to surface -- a horse with right foreleg raised at center flanked by two long robed men each leaning ona tall staff before them. Four phoenizes equally spaced at top above men and horse -- each has right leg raised, right wing pointing downward and looking over his back. Traces of white and red pigment in figures. Designs so similar -- were probably repeatedly stamped onto the wet clay.

Published ReferencesPublished in the VIRGINIAN-PILOT, "Piece of the Week", 1/7/57; Similar pieces in Sowerby, NATURE IN CHINESE ART, 1940, pp. 94-95 (says from tomb of Qin Dynasty warrior) and Olov Janse, BRIQUES ET OBJECTS CERAMICS FUNERAIRES DE L'EPOQUE HAN, Paris, 1936, pl. XVII.