Statue
Tomb Sculpture
Object Number:
C656
Current Location:
China Gallery
Culture:
Chinese
Provenience:
China
Henan
Period:
Northern Wei Dynasty
Date Made:
4th-5th century
Early Date:
300
Late Date:
499
Section:
Asian
Materials:
Stone
Technique:
Carved
Iconography:
Qilin
Description:
One of a pair of colossal stone qilins (C656 and C657). Male. The qilin is a mythical animal primarily containing lion and dragon features. Qilin are often placed in pairs at the beginning of a pathway that leads to a burial mound. Depicted in a running motion, this qilin and its female counterpart demonstrate strength and power through emphasis on muscle. It was believed that they would enhnace the dignity of the tomb, glorify the memory of the deceased and protect against evil spirits. This piece has one horn and a beard falling onto its chest. The legs, tail, and ears are broken and partly missing.
Credit Line:
Purchased from C. T. Loo
Current & Past Exhibitions:
Chinese Rotunda (1968)
Chinese Halls (1941 - 1966)
Bibliography:
[Book] Horne, Lee C. 1985. Introduction to the Collections of The University Museum. : Page/Fig./Plate: 59
[Article] Jayne, Horace H. 1941. The Chinese Collections of The University Museum: A Handbook of the Principal Objects. The University Museum Bulletin. 9 (2-3) : Page/Fig./Plate: Fig. 3
[Article] Jayne, Horace H. 1939. Chinese Art at the University Museum. Parnassus. 11 (1) : Page/Fig./Plate: Illustration
[Book] March, Benjamin. 1929. China and Japan in our Museums. : Page/Fig./Plate: 87
[Article] Siren, Osvald. 1928. Winged Chimeras in Early Chinese Art. Eastern Art. Volume I (No. 2): 86-96. : Page/Fig./Plate: 86-96, Plates 9, 10
[Article] Fernald, Helen E. 1927. Two Colossal Stone Chimeras from A Chinese Tomb. The Museum Journal. Volume XVIII (No. 2): 159-173. : Page/Fig./Plate: 159-173
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