Figure
late 6th century-early 7th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This glazed earthenware figure represents a foreign dignitary. He sports a spectacularly well-groomed beard, a large pot-belly and a helmet-like hat. The Chinese potters who modelled this type of figure clearly intended to show non-Chinese. The dress, hat and features probably specified a particular foreign group.The man here is possibly a foreign dignitary.
Many ethic groups can be identified in the tomb figures of the Sui and Tang dynasties. This variety reflects the cosmopolitan flavour of life in towns along the Silk Road and in the capital, Chang'an (present day Xi'an). Because of their position on a major trade route, Silk Road towns experienced a regular traffic of people passing through, many demanding attention from the local officials. Regular embassies seeking trade, peace, war and marriage alliances required hospitality. Officials would have spent considerable time entertaining guests, such as the one who inspired this figure, from near and far.
Many ethic groups can be identified in the tomb figures of the Sui and Tang dynasties. This variety reflects the cosmopolitan flavour of life in towns along the Silk Road and in the capital, Chang'an (present day Xi'an). Because of their position on a major trade route, Silk Road towns experienced a regular traffic of people passing through, many demanding attention from the local officials. Regular embassies seeking trade, peace, war and marriage alliances required hospitality. Officials would have spent considerable time entertaining guests, such as the one who inspired this figure, from near and far.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Earthenware, glazed and with unfired pigments |
| Brief description | Cer, China, Six Dynasties, painted |
| Physical description | Glazed earthenware figure of a foreign dignitary with a beard. Because of their position on a major trade route, Silk Road towns saw a regular traffic of people passing through, many demanding attention from the local officials. Regular embassies seeking trade, peace, war and marriage alliances required hospitality and officials would have spent considerable time entertaining guests from near and afar. This figure sports a spectacularly well groomed beard, a large pot-belly and a helmet-like hat. The Chinese potters who modelled this type of figures clearly intended to show non-Chinese, and their dress, hat and features probably specified a particular foreign group. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Style | |
| Gallery label | Figure of a foreigner
Sui dynasty
581-618
This man's distinctive beard and his non-Chinese face suggests that he was a foreigner, probably an envoy.
Earthenware with brown lead glaze
John Sparks Gift
Museum no. C.222-1934(2007) |
| Credit line | Gift of John Sparks |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This glazed earthenware figure represents a foreign dignitary. He sports a spectacularly well-groomed beard, a large pot-belly and a helmet-like hat. The Chinese potters who modelled this type of figure clearly intended to show non-Chinese. The dress, hat and features probably specified a particular foreign group.The man here is possibly a foreign dignitary. Many ethic groups can be identified in the tomb figures of the Sui and Tang dynasties. This variety reflects the cosmopolitan flavour of life in towns along the Silk Road and in the capital, Chang'an (present day Xi'an). Because of their position on a major trade route, Silk Road towns experienced a regular traffic of people passing through, many demanding attention from the local officials. Regular embassies seeking trade, peace, war and marriage alliances required hospitality. Officials would have spent considerable time entertaining guests, such as the one who inspired this figure, from near and far. |
| Bibliographic reference | Whitfield, Susan. The Silk Road: Trade, Travel, War and Faith. London: The British Library, 2004, p. 230, pl. 157. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | C.222-1934 |
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| Record created | March 25, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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