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Brick with Ax-Chariot
Eastern Han dynasty (25–220)
Not on view
Pictorial bricks appeared frequently on the walls of Eastern Han tombs. In addition to floral and geometric designs, they sometimes bear narrative scenes of hunting, farming, feasting, dancing, and acrobatics. As such, they recreate activities that the tomb occupants enjoyed in life and wished to take with them into the afterlife. This brick shows a chariot drawn by a spirited horse. The two charioteers guard a large ax—a symbol of military authority accorded to government officials above the rank of district magistrate. The lively scene illustrates the procession of a high-ranking official, thereby signaling the prominence of the deceased.
#208. Brick relief with an axe chariot
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