Tomb figure of an official

anonymous, c. 710 - c. 730

A set group of figures was positioned just outside the burial chamber in Tang tombs. This consisted of two guardians, two earth spirits and two officials, such as this individual. The bird on his headdress may have indicated his rank. Tomb figures were always colourfully painted. Gilding was applied only to the most expensive examples.

  • Artwork typetomb figure, figure
  • Object numberAK-MAK-81
  • Dimensionsheight 102 cm
  • Physical characteristicswhite earthenware, traces of cold painting and gilding

Identification

  • Title(s)

    Tomb figure of an official

  • Object type

  • Object number

    AK-MAK-81

  • Description

    Beeld of graffiguur van aardewerk in de vorm van een hoogwaardigheidsbekleder, beschildering in zwart, rose, rood en wit. Tang.

Creation

  • Creation

    maker: anonymous, China

  • Dating

    c. 710 - c. 730

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  • School / Style

Material and technique

  • Physical description

    white earthenware, traces of cold painting and gilding

  • Dimensions

    height 102 cm

Acquisition and rights

  • Credit line

    On loan from the Royal Asian Art Society in The Netherlands (gift of Betsy Westendorp-Osieck, 1945)

  • Copyright

    Public domain

  • Provenance

    …; collection dealer Yamanaka; {sale catalogue Mak 1922}…; sale, Amsterdam (A. Mak), 24 October 1922;{Note RMA.} …; from the dealer A. Vecht, Amsterdam, fl.800, to Herman Karel Westendorp (1868-1941), Amsterdam;{Note RMA.} his widow Betsy Westendorp-Osieck (1880-1968), Amsterdam, by whom donated to the Vereniging van Vrienden der Aziatische Kunst, 1945;{note RMA.} from whom on loan to the museum, 1972

Documentation

    • A. Mak, Catalogue d'Art de l'Orient, 24 Octobre 1922, cat.nr. 2.
    • Schatkamers, no. 529.
    • Jan Fontein, 'De vroege jaren van de vereniging: lezing nieuwjaarsbijeenkomst 2005', Aziatische Kunst 35/2 (2005), pp. 2-20.
    • Eveline Kamstra, 'De wachters van Van Rossum', Aziatische Kunst 38 (2008), nr. 3, p. 77, afb. 6.
    • Menno Fitski, 'Japanese art in the Westendorp-Osieck collection', Arts of Asia 38 (2008), nr. 4, p. 50, afb. 4.

Persistent URL

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  • Tomb figure of an official
  • Tomb figure of an official
  • Tomb figure of an official
  • Tomb figure of an official
  • Tomb figure of an official
  • Tomb figure of an official