Tomb Figure thumbnail 1
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
China, Room 44, The T.T. Tsui Gallery

Tomb Figure

700-750 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The use of tomb figures was a widespread practice in China since the Han dynasty (208 BC-AD 220). Funerary objects, either figures or vessels and daily tools, were placed in the burial to recreate a familiar environment and to accompany the deceased in the afterlife. This earthenware figure is part of a group of eight female attendants or dancers, wearing high-waisted dresses and long shawls typical of the early Tang period (AD 618-906).

The group is divided into four pairs, each characterised by a different hairstyle; in this case the hair is coiled on top of the head and rise diagonally to one side. Head and neck are left unglazed, sometimes with traces of unfired red painting on lips and cheeks, and of black colour on the eyes or hair. The body is decorated with yellow-brown, green and colourless lead glazes, from which comes the name sancai or 'three colours' given to this kind of ware.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Painted earthenware, coloured with lead glazes
Brief description
Tomb figure, glazed earthenware, China, Tang dynasty, 700-750 AD
Physical description
Tomb figure of female attendant or dancer. The figure wears a long dress with a shawl draped over the shoulders; the hair is coiled on the top of the head rising diagonally to one side.
Dimensions
  • Maximum height: 31cm
Style
Gallery label
Figures of eight women Tang dynasty 700-750 Earthenware with three-coloured (sancai) glaze Lady Loraine Gift, in memory of her husband Sir Percy Loraine Museum no. C.66-1961(2007)
Credit line
Given by Lady Loraine, in memory of her husband, the Rt. Hon. Sir Percy Loraine, Bt, GCMG
Subjects depicted
Summary
The use of tomb figures was a widespread practice in China since the Han dynasty (208 BC-AD 220). Funerary objects, either figures or vessels and daily tools, were placed in the burial to recreate a familiar environment and to accompany the deceased in the afterlife. This earthenware figure is part of a group of eight female attendants or dancers, wearing high-waisted dresses and long shawls typical of the early Tang period (AD 618-906).

The group is divided into four pairs, each characterised by a different hairstyle; in this case the hair is coiled on top of the head and rise diagonally to one side. Head and neck are left unglazed, sometimes with traces of unfired red painting on lips and cheeks, and of black colour on the eyes or hair. The body is decorated with yellow-brown, green and colourless lead glazes, from which comes the name sancai or 'three colours' given to this kind of ware.
Collection
Accession number
C.66-1961

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Record createdDecember 15, 1999
Record URL
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