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Unknown Maker, Chinese

Musician
Now On View

Maker

Unknown Maker, Chinese

Culture

Chinese

Title

Musician

Period

Tang Dynasty

Year

ca. 650-700 CE

Medium

Materials/Techniques

Techniques

Materials

clay, pigment

Dimensions

15 x 8.5 x 8 cm (5 7/8 x 3 3/8 x 3 1/8 inches)

Credit / Object Number

Credit

Gift of Houghton P. Metcalf

Object Number

25.013

Type

Publications

  • Journal

Manual / Issue 12: On Further Review

The RISD Museum’s twelfth issue of Manual focuses on uncovering narratives that were once central to objects’ histories but now have been systematically obscured, inadvertently overlooked, or otherwise lost.

Exhibition History

Asian Art Galleries
Jun 10, 2014

Label copy

Chinese Buddhists believed that if the souls of the deceased weren't given a proper resting place, they would become discontent and cause trouble in the earthly realm. Donors, artisans, and buildres worked in unison to construct burial-mound chambers filled with the comforts and remembrances of life. Chambers for people of higher status were decorated with murals, reliefs, architectural models, vessels, and figures. Musicians played an important role in Chinese court life, performing for ceremonies and rituals, and groups of figures playing instruments were often included in burials, as were horse figures. Horses were prized possessions of the elite, and polo was a popular pastime, especially during the Tang Dynasty.

Rockefeller Asian Art Gallery

Image use

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Public Domain This object is in the Public Domain and available under a CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication

Tombstone

Unknown Maker, Chinese
Musician, ca. 650-700 CE
Clay with pigment
15 x 8.5 x 8 cm (5 7/8 x 3 3/8 x 3 1/8 inches)
Gift of Houghton P. Metcalf 25.013

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