Unknown Artist
Tomb tile with decoration of feathered man and dragon
- Other titles:
- Tomb tile (Green Dragon of the East decoration)
- Location
- Lower Asian gallery
- Further information
A 'Yu Ren' (feathered man) with a pair of wings and large ears beckons a running dragon with split deer-like antlers, baring its teeth and fixing its gaze on the ladle held in the man's left hand. This brick is an example of tomb decorations depicting Daoist themes of immortality that began during the Warring States period (475 -221 BC) and remained very popular in burial practices until the 6th century AD. The dragon motif not only indicates the direction of East, but also serves as auspicious animal with its power to suppress evil and assist the deceased to reach paradise.
Asian Art Department, AGNSW, January 2012
- Place of origin
-
China
- Period
-
China: Southern dynasties 317–589
China: Northern dynasties 420–589 - Year
- 5th century-6th century
- Media
- Ceramic
- Medium
- earthenware, unglazed
- Dimensions
- 15.6 x 40.7cm
- Credit
- Gift of Mr Sydney Cooper 1962
- Accession number
- EC25.1962
