Brique

Anonyme, Anonyme

Entre -221 et -206
Terre cuite, Estampage
Elément d'architecture, Brique
Achat en vente publique

M.C. 6145 B

This rectangular brick is divided into six bands surrounded by a wide border decorated with diagonal striated lines. Five of the bands are identical, and depict a banquet scene. The two central figures, no doubt the host and the guest, appear to be engaged in a lively conversation. On the right, a smaller figure, no doubt of inferior status, appears to strike an object with his right hand. Around these figures are arranged the banquet utensils. On the left, a hu vase with a handle, for fermented beverages; in the middle, two cups with handles seen from above; to the right, bowls. An identical brick was found in Fengxiang, Shaanxi. The banquet theme had already appeared on incrusted bronzes from the Warring States period, and music and alcohol were already important parts of these ritual events (Li, 1980, p. 61, fig. 37). On these vessels with complex iconography, these depictions would include that of lone animals in a hunting scene; the lower band of the brick features this theme of animals running in the mountains. Unlike later depictions that generally include mythical creatures (unicorns) or hybrid beings (Immortals), all the animals shown here are real ones (hare, deer, boar, etc.), although not always clearly identifiable. The emerging landscape is succinctly shown here by successive layers of undulations.

Reference(s) : Marie-Thérèse Bobot, Chine connue et inconnue : Dix années d'acquisitions au musée Cernuschi, Paris, Paris-Musées, 1992, p.64.