han, qin and tang tomb art
DESCRIPTION
Han, Qin and Tang Tomb art is of different art symbols and figurines that Chinese Dynasty used for their loved ones when they were buried.TRANSCRIPT
Han, Qin & Tang Dynasty Tomb Art
Han Dynasty (Golden Age) 漢朝
Han Dynasty which is apart of China was considered to be the “golden age”, it was separated into two sec:on the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC – 9 AD) and the Eastern Han Dynasty (25–220 AD). Families throughout China made ritual sacrifices of animals and food to spirits and ancestors at temples. They believed that each person had a two-‐part soul and in the aOer-‐life they felt that these things would be used in the spiritual realm.
This Hun ping, or funerary urn, is a ceramic “soul jar” or “soul vase”, found in the tombs of the Western Dynasty. It’s not your typical jar that carries ashes of the deceased, but a jar that contains some sort of fruits, that is then buried with the dead so that they may enjoy them in the aOerlife. The beau:ful house-‐like structure was designed to show the daily life at this :me along with figurines of people.
Hun Ping (Spirit Jar) 魂瓶
The spirit jars did not have lids to them, but had decora:ve trimmings on top with four entrance doorway openings, such as these jars. They were then placed next to the tomb so that the
soul of the dead would have a place to exist.
Chimeras Chimeras were imaginary creatures that didn’t exist, but were on the outsides of burial tombs. Chinese families built mounds over the tombs of their loved ones so that they could leave them offerings. They believed that the deceased had a major influence over their wealth and also their happiness. There was a path called the spirit path leading to the tombs and on opposite sides of the path and facing each
other were chimeras.
Qin Shi Huang (pronounced “chin”) named himself “The First Emperor”, of the Chinese State of Qin from 221 BCE – 210 BCE. He is known for building the Great Wall of China by uni:ng other defensive walls to it.
Qin Dynasty
Qin Shi Huang was buried with over 8,000 life-‐size terraco]a soldier figures, that were lined up and down aisles guarding his tomb. Each figure had its own unique facial expression and was lined up in ranking order. The soldiers were found with patches of brightly colored paint, sugges:ng that their clothing was painted when first rendered. Along with the soldiers were 130 chariots, 520 horses and 150 cavalry horses.
Tang Dynasty The Tang Dynasty (618 – 907 CE) was the most flourishing dynasty out of the three dynas:es that I have spoken about in China. Chinese ci:zens grew and produced brilliant pieces in both arts and works making this era succeed financially. The military was a big influence and expanded the Tang Dynasty territory, which brought more trading and along with gaining different religions and clothing was interna:onal sports.
These figurines seen striking a pose are of guardian warriors they would be seen next to a tomb. Since the Chinese believed that there was a con:nua:on to life aOer death, they made sure that they had everything they needed, especially something that showed off their wealth. The army was a major part of the Tang Dynasty and figures, such as these army warriors were apart of the tomb art.
Guardian Warriors
Pair of Lokapala These pair of Lokapala’s were two of four guardians that you would see over a tomb. They watched over the four direc:ons and were made to have piercing facial expression as well as having a strong body stance; they stand tall and well balanced wai:ng to protect evil. The figure on the leO is standing victoriously on a small human figure resembling that he has conquered their a]empt to enter the tombs space. The figurine on the leO is also successful at doing the same thing but he has proudly conquered a bull. Their headdress are of a phoenix who was killed in a fire, but then rose from ashes to live again.
References
Zhizhu. Qin Shu = Qin Dynasty. Taibei Shi: Da Qi Chu Ban She, 2011. Man, John. The Terra Co)a Army: China's First Emperor and the Birth of a Na:on. Cambridge, MA: Da Capo, 2008. "Tang-‐dynasty Tomb Sculptures Strike A pose." Buddhist Art News. Web. Nov.2013. “Spirit Jar.” Arts Connected. Web. Nov. 2013. “Han Dynasty.” Metmuseum. Web Nov. 2013