Mortuary Figurine
Object Number: | C410 |
---|---|
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: | Ceramic Glaze |
Technique: | Glazed Fired |
Iconography: | Camel |
Credit Line: | Purchased from C. T. Loo, 1924 |
Description
Mortuary pottery camel with sancai glaze. 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 than horses to handle the heat. Here, the camel is two humped, characteristic of Bactrian camels.
Current & Past Exhibitions:
China Gallery (22 Feb 2017) | View Objects in Exhibition |
Chinese Rotunda (1968 - 22 Feb 2017) | View Objects in Exhibition |
Bibliography:
[Article] 1924. "Chinese Sculpture Recently Acquired". The Museum Journal. Philadelphia. The University Museum. Vol. XV. no. 4. pg. 258-287 Actual Citation : Page/Fig./Plate: Pg. 272, Plate XI | View Objects related to this Actual Citation |
You may also be interested in these objects:
Report problems and issues to digitalmedia@pennmuseum.org.