Brique

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Entre -206 et 9
Terre cuite, Estampage
Elément d'architecture, Brique
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M.C. 6145 A

This brick is stamped on both sides. The front is decorated with figures in three superposed scenes. These vignettes are outlined and separated by diamond borders, characteristic of the Western Han dynasty. The three scenes are played out in a natural setting suggested by undulating eruptions traced by successive fillets. This same treatment is found on a mirror from the early part of the dynasty that was unearthed from the tomb of the Marquis of Wanqu in Xuzhou, Jiangsu. The themes depicted cannot be identified, but they appear to be two confrontations and a chase. Certain details in the figures’ costumes, particularly the folds of the bottom of their garments shown fanned out resemble the costume of a guard depicted on a small Han-period brick found in Xichuan, Henan.
The back is decorated with five rectangular cartouches surrounded by a double diamond border. At the top is the Vermilion Bird of the South, and below, the Green Dragon of the East. Together right at the bottom are the Black Warrior of the north (the Tortoise) ridden by an Immortal and the Moon Toad. The notion of these mythological Four Symbols began to materialise during the Western Han period. The third depiction is of a duel or joust, and the fourth a traditional hunting theme. A fragment of brick in the Museum of Chinese Art and Ethnography in Parma features the same three upper bands.

Reference(s) : Gilles Béguin, Arts de l’Asie au Musée Cernuschi, Paris-Musées / Findakly, 2000, p.68-69.