Tortoise
Figure of Tortoise
1000-1100 (made)
1000-1100 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The Chinese tradition of burying ceramic replicas of domestic and wild animals had died out in the 11th century. This figure of a tortoise was one of the very few exceptions. The tortoise lives to an old age and was a symbol of long life. Its presence in the tomb probably represented the wish that the deceased could continue a similar life style in the underworld.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Tortoise (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Stoneware, glazed |
| Brief description | Figure of tortoise, glazed stoneware, Ding ware, Hebei, Northern Song dynasty, ca.11 th century |
| Physical description | Figure of a tortoise, stoneware with white glaze |
| Dimensions |
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| Styles | |
| Gallery label |
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| Credit line | Purchased with Art Fund support, the Vallentin Bequest, Sir Percival David and the Universities China Committee |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | The Chinese tradition of burying ceramic replicas of domestic and wild animals had died out in the 11th century. This figure of a tortoise was one of the very few exceptions. The tortoise lives to an old age and was a symbol of long life. Its presence in the tomb probably represented the wish that the deceased could continue a similar life style in the underworld. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | C.847-1936 |
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| Record created | April 3, 2008 |
| Record URL |
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