Ancient Chinese Funerary Art copy
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St. John's University *
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2025
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Arts Humanities
Date
Apr 3, 2024
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docx
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Uploaded by CorporalLobster3174
ARTH 150: Introduction to Art History
Museum Fieldtrip: Ancient Chinese Funerary Art
What do artworks reveal about the past? How can artworks teach us about other cultures and their beliefs?
This semester the La Salle Art Museum is featuring a special exhibition on Ancient Chinese Funerary Sculpture. If you are able, I would highly recommend you visit in person. If not, you can complete this assignment by viewing the La Salle Art Museum's collection of Asian Ceramics and Sculpture online at:
https://artcollection.lasalle.edu/objects-1/portfolio?
records=20&query=Portfolios%20%3D%20%2250%22&sort=0
Please read the essays and watch the videos on “The Sacred Realm in China” from Module 7 prior
to responding to the questions below. Please use complete sentences in paragraph format. For each question, you will also want to include specific objects from the La Salle Art Museum to support your answer.
1.
What can we learn about ancient Chinese belief in the afterlife from the excavation of ancient tombs?
Chinese beliefs, about the afterlife suggest that people thought life after death was much like life on Earth. Tombs were filled with items such as pottery, weapons and terracotta soldiers indicating that the deceased needed these objects in their afterlife.
2.
How was status represented in the burial of the dead in ancient China?
The status of individuals was evident in the size and contents of their burial sites. Elaborate tombs with possessions were reserved for the elite highlighting the importance of standing.
3.
Using our collection, locate ancient Chinese funerary objects from each of these dynasties: 1
-
The Neolithic period (
Majiayao Culture
)
; “Shoe Shaped Jar” 2350 BCE-2050 BCE
3rd Millenium BCE -
The Western Han dynasty; “Head of a Dragon” 2nd Century BCE-1st Century BCE -
The Tang dynasty; “Pair of Dogs” 9
th
Century (618-907)
-
The Ming dynasty; “Attendant Figure” 16
th
Century (1368-1644) 2
4.
How do the objects evolve from one dynasty to the next? What can these objects tell us about how the ancient Chinese concept of the afterlife changed over time?
Over dynasties burial objects changed to reflect shifts in beliefs, culture and technological advancements. Early dynasties emphasized ritual items while later periods like the Tang dynasty featured an array of intricate figurines showcasing a more elaborate
concept of the afterlife.
5.
How do the ‘equestrian figures’ and ‘court ladies’ from the Tang dynasty that are in our collection compare and contrast with the Tang dynasty tomb figures discussed in the Smarthistory video? Comparing equestrian figures and court ladies from the Tang dynasty reveals insights into status and beauty ideals during that era. Equestrian figures symbolized power and prestige while court ladies represented aesthetics and cultural values; both intended to accompany the deceased into the afterlife.
6.
What is sancai? Locate the sancai figure we have from the Tang dynasty in our collection. Insert an image below, identify, and describe. What can we learn about the significance of materials from objects buried in ancient Chinese tombs?
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The use of Sancai (a three color glazing technique from the Tang dynasty) on pottery figures showcased creativity at that time and underscored the significance of materials, in
practices. The vibrant colors and skilled craftsmanship were believed to bring benefits to those who had passed on.
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