Tomb pilaster

Object Details

• Description

  Pottery standing pillar surmounted by a bearded, large-headed figure seated in a squatting position. Figure is molded in relief on three sides. The hands are held at chest level and the legs extend down the sides of the upper shaft. The shaft is roughly square and decorated on three sides with stamped designs of dragons and geometric patterns.

• Label

  Gray earthenware columns of this type supported the lintels that spanned funerary chambers of the Han dynasty (206 B.C.E. -220 C.E.). The geometric and stylized animal designs stamped onto the surface of the column are repeated several times. In contrast to the impressed designs is the large sculpted figure that forms the capital of the column. Figures of this type evidently served a protective function.

• Provenance

  ?-1965

  Frank Caro Chinese Art, New York, NY [1]

  1965-1977

  Dr. Arthur M. Sackler (1913-1987), New York, NY, purchased from Frank Caro Chinese Art, New York, NY [2]

  1977-2006

  The Arthur M. Sackler Foundation, New York, NY, gift of Dr. Arthur M. Sackler, New York, NY [3]

  From 2006

  Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, gift of the Arthur M. Sackler Foundation, New York, NY

  Notes:

  [1] See invoice from Frank Caro from March 12, 1965, copy in object file, Collections Management Office.

  [2] See note 1.

  [3] The object was donated by Dr. Arthur M. Sackler to the Arthur M. Sackler Foundation in December 1977, copy in object file, Collections Management Office.

• Collection

  Arthur M. Sackler Collection

• Exhibition History

  In Praise of Ancestors: Ritual Objects from China (September 28, 1987 to January 1, 1989)

  Three Thousand Years of the Ceramic Art and Ancient Sculpture of China from the Sackler Collections (November 20, 1962 to January 18, 1963)

• Previous custodian or owner

  Frank Caro Chinese Art (1962-1980)

  Dr. Arthur M. Sackler (1913-1987)

  Arthur M. Sackler Foundation (founded 1965)

• Origin

  China

• Credit Line

  Gift of The Arthur M. Sackler Foundation

• Type

  Sculpture

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Name

  Frank Caro Chinese Art, Sackler, Arthur M., Arthur M. Sackler Foundation

• Place

  China

• Topic

  Art, Chinese Art, Pottery, Funerary, Ceramics, Han dynasty (206 BCE - 220 CE)

• Culture

  Chinese

• Object Type

  Sculpture