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MYTOLOGICAL ANIMALS

5,202 photos
Earthenware model of a cart with bullock and human figures, Six Dynasties period, 6th century. The bull pulling the cart is flanked by two men. Their features show that they are not Chinese. Underneath the bull is a jug. From the time of the Han dynasty (206 BC-220) tomb models showing aspects of daily life were common in China. After the fall of the Han dynasty the spectacular range of funerary models diminished, reappearing only after a few centuries with a new emphasis on figures, rather than buildings which had been more common in the Han. This model has been scientifically tested by a method known as thermoluminescence, which may be used for dating ceramic objects. It is a relatively rare piece, which anticipates the large tomb figure industry which grew from the seventh century. OA, 1925.10-15.3
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Earthenware model of a cart with bullock and human figures, Six Dynasties period...

Group of sancai ceramic tomb figures, probably Henan province, Tang dynasty, early 8th century. The group comprises two fabulous beasts (one with a human face), two fierce lokapala, guardian figures usually seen at the entrance to temples, and in the centre, two officials, one military, one civil. The military official has armour over his green robe and a bird of prey on his hat. About one metre high, these are among the tallest known burial figures from the Tang dynasty (618-906). They are reputed to be from the tomb of Liu Tingxun, an important military commander who died in 728. The memorial tablet found with these figures records his skill in military matters and the arts of statesmanship, and that he died at the age of seventy-two. Apart from the heads, the figures are completely covered with lead sancai (three-colour) glaze. OA, 1936.10-12.220-9
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Group of sancai ceramic tomb figures, probably Henan province, Tang dynasty, ear...

Cizhou ware ceramic pillow, From Hebei Province, northern China, c1050-c1150. Ceramic pillows were used by the living, but also buried in tombs for the next life, along with other items for daily use. This pillow is in the shape of a leaf, set on a square base. The headrest was probably coated with white slip, then a layer of black slip. This was incised and then cut away to leave the design of the dancing bear attached to a pole. Scrape marks are visible on the white background. Finally, a transparent glaze was applied. The term 'Cizhou ware' refers to a type of sturdy stoneware produced at many kilns throughout the northern Chinese provinces of Hebei, Henan and Shaanxi. OA, 1936.10-12.169
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Cizhou ware ceramic pillow, From Hebei Province, northern China, c1050-c1150. Ce...

'Fascination of Nature' from China, Yuan dynasty, 1321. The subject of this partly exposed handscroll is animals and insects feeding off each other. The colophons tell us of the deeper significance of the subject matter: that beauty and brightness of the natural world cover up the confusion and disorder caused by the fight for survival. It reflects the dilemma faced by many Chinese of the period, whether to work for the Mongols and survive, or to remain loyal to the fallen imperial dynasty and starve. OA, 1998.11-11.02
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'Fascination of Nature' from China, Yuan dynasty, 1321. The subject of this part...

Cloisonné jar, Ming dynasty, Xuande period, c1426-c1435. Depicting a dragon among clouds. The inscription on the neck of the jar shows that it was made under the auspices of the Yuyongjian, a division of the Imperial Household. The Chinese perfected the cloisonné enamel technique in the fifteenth century. By the time this jar was made it was considered appropriate for imperial use, and many superb pieces were made for palaces and temples. Some of the vessel forms were borrowed from ancient Chinese bronzes. Other shapes, and some of the motifs, resemble contemporary porcelains. OA, 1957.5-1.1
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Cloisonné jar, Ming dynasty, Xuande period, c1426-c1435. Depicting a dragon amon...

Lacquer dish, Ming dynasty, 1489. The setting is a famous fourth-century drinking and poetry party at the Lanting (Orchid Pavilion) in the southern province of Zhejiang. The sky is full of clouds and cranes, birds symbolic of immortality. The party arriving in the foreground is accompanied by deer, also associated with immortality, and the Islands of the Immortals rise out of the waves around the border of the dish. The bracketing and tiling of the buildings are executed with great intricacy, and the carver has signed his name and the date around the door of the pavilion. This dish is one of the earliest known examples of polychrome carved lacquer with a pictorial scene. These beautifully executed pieces were often made to imperial order and some were exported to Japan as diplomatic gifts. A verse by the Tang dynasty poet, Wang Bo, is carved on the back of the dish. OA, 1980.3-27.1
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Lacquer dish, Ming dynasty, 1489. The setting is a famous fourth-century drinkin...

Jade rhyton, Chinese, Qing dynasty, 18th-19th century. This cup takes the traditional form of a hornshaped rhyton. It stands vertically on a flat, narrow base, widening to an uneven lip. An inscription is carved around the inside of the lip. The outside surface is carved with wave-like scrolls, where sea-creatures frolic carved in bold relief. The lower half of the cup is held in the mouth of a fish or dragon, whose tail twists along the side of the cup.
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Jade rhyton, Chinese, Qing dynasty, 18th-19th century. This cup takes the tradit...

Monkeys Hanging scroll, silk embroidery. Song Dynasty, China; 10th century CE.
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Monkeys Hanging scroll, silk embroidery. Song Dynasty, China; 10th century CE.

Country doctor applying a painful cure of moxibustion (traditional Chinese medical therapy utilizing special herbs) to a man's back. Hanging scroll, silk embroidery. Song Dynasty, China; 10th century CE.
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Country doctor applying a painful cure of moxibustion (traditional Chinese medic...

Tomoe Gozen on horseback. She was one of the few examples of a true female warrior samurai in all of Japanese history. She was a samurai during the time of the Genpei War (1180–1185). Japan, Late Heian period; 12th century.
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Tomoe Gozen on horseback. She was one of the few examples of a true female warri...

Hideyoshi Toyotomi (1536-1598), a Japanese feudal lord and samurai (Japanese warrior). Under the rule of Hideyoshi, Christian activity in Japan was greatly restricted.
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Hideyoshi Toyotomi (1536-1598), a Japanese feudal lord and samurai (Japanese war...

The Namamugi Incident was a samurai attack on foreign nationals in Japan on September 14, 1862, which resulted in the bombardment of Kagoshima in 1863. Charles Lennox Richardson (a British merchant) is at the centre of the scene. Woodblock print; Japan, 19th century.
#03070310

The Namamugi Incident was a samurai attack on foreign nationals in Japan on Sept...