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Tomb Gate
Eastern Han dynasty (25–220)
Not on view
These five stone slabs—a lintel, two posts, and two door panels—stood at the entrance to a tomb. Their decoration was achieved through a combination of carving and painting. Since pigments deteriorate once stones are unearthed and exposed to air, these rare examples permit a look at the full chromatic glory of Han stone carvings.
The pictorial program brings together several symbolic needs of the deceased. Two gigantic doorknockers and a pair of bulls protect the tomb against evil. Patterns on the lintel and posts, including the sun, the moon, and auspicious animals, signal the heavenly domain. On the right-hand door, an immortal following a string of clouds stands ready to guide the deceased into Heaven. Taken together, the decoration transforms this tomb gate into the gate of Heaven.
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