Tomb Figurines; Female Musicians
Culture
Chinese
Artist
Tang Dynasty
((618–906))
Date618–906
Mediumterracotta
ClassificationsSculpture
Credit LineGift of Mr. Alexander H. Bullock
Terms
Object number1947.5
DescriptionGroup of five female musiciansLabel TextTerra cotta statuettes were made in large quantity during the T'ang dynasty. Funeral rites fixed, according to the grade of the deceased, the quantity of figurines to be buried with him and, much as in Egypt, they were intended as guarantees to insure services to the dead in the underworld. Produced from molds and of a cheap and common material, they often rise above the routine or commonplace becoming, as here, works of art in themselves. The pinkish-white clay was covered with a white slip which was painted. These elegant ladies wear long, high-waisted dresses with long sleeves and their black hair is dressed in high double peaks. They play the following instruments: the lute, psaltery, reed-organ, gong or drum, and cymbals. At the court of the T'ang the number of women retainers reach alarming proportions. In 813 a great flood occurred which was inevitably attributed to an excess of the Yin or female principle. As a consequence, the Emperor dismissed from his harem so many women that two hundred coaches were required to convey them.ProvenancePurchased by Mr. Bullock from C. Edward Welles in 1940
On View
Not on view
