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

Clay Brick

206 BC - 220 AD (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This brick is decorated with a stamped design of boars and tigers. It was part of the doorway of a grave. During the Han dynasty (206 BC- AD 220) the structure of burial sites was intended to mimic the architectural elements of a house, such as pillars, rafters, doorways or tile ends. This brick was made of four slabs of baked clay, with openings at both ends; traces of clay used to strengthen the interior and fingerprints are still visible.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Clay
Brief description
Clay brick, China, Han dynasty (206 BC-220 AD)
Physical description
Clay brick with stamped design of boars and tigers. It was part of the doorway of a tomb.
Dimensions
  • Length: 120cm
Style
Credit line
Given by Dr W. L. Hildburgh FSA
Subjects depicted
Summary
This brick is decorated with a stamped design of boars and tigers. It was part of the doorway of a grave. During the Han dynasty (206 BC- AD 220) the structure of burial sites was intended to mimic the architectural elements of a house, such as pillars, rafters, doorways or tile ends. This brick was made of four slabs of baked clay, with openings at both ends; traces of clay used to strengthen the interior and fingerprints are still visible.
Collection
Accession number
A.28-1953

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Record createdMarch 28, 2000
Record URL
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