Mortuary Figurine
| Object Number: | C465 |
|---|---|
| Current Location: |
Asia Galleries Currently On Display |
| Culture: | Chinese |
| Provenience: | China |
| Period: | Tang Dynasty |
| Date Made: | Tang Dynasty |
| Early Date: | 618 |
| Late Date: | 906 |
| Section: | Asian |
| Materials: | Clay Glaze |
| Technique: | Three Color Glaze Fired |
| Iconography: | Camel |
| Credit Line: | Purchased from C. T. Loo, 1925 |
Description
Glazed pottery figure of a camel without a pack. This figurine would have been placed in a tomb with other ceremonial and everyday objects, such as horses and mounted musicians. Animal subjects were believed to help the soul communicate with spirits and make travel in the afterlife more comfortable. Camels, associated with trade and travel, were the main means of transport along the Silk Road. Passing through the Gobi Desert, camels were better suited to handle the heat than a horse. This camels has two humps and can be identified as a Bactrian camel. The figure has a sancai glaze with cream predominating. C461 through C468 is a set.
Current & Past Exhibitions:
| China Gallery (22 Feb 2017) | View Objects in Exhibition |
| Chinese Rotunda (1968 - 22 Feb 2017) | View Objects in Exhibition |
Bibliography:
| [Book] 1983. Compton's Encyclopedia.. Chicago. F. E. Compton Co. Actual Citation : Page/Fig./Plate: p. 297a | View Objects related to this Actual Citation |
| [Article] Fernald, Helen E. 1925. "Mortuary Figures of the T'ang Dynasty". The Museum Journal. Philadelphia. The University Museum. Vol. XVI. no. No. 3. pg. 153-181 Actual Citation : Page/Fig./Plate: pg. 173 | View Objects related to this Actual Citation |
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