Tomb Gate
Returned to lender
This work of art was on loan to the museum and has since been returned to its lender.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.
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.
Artwork Details
- 东汉 彩绘画像石墓门
- Title: Tomb Gate
- Period: Eastern Han dynasty (25–220)
- Culture: China
- Medium: Stone with pigment
- Dimensions: a, right lintel: H. 16 1/8 in. (41 cm); W. 36 5/8 in. (93 cm); D. 2 3/4 in. (7 cm); Wt. 129 lbs (58.5 kg)
b, left lintel: H. 16 1/8 in. (41 cm); W. 44 1/8 in. (112 cm); D. 2 3/4 in. (7 cm); Wt. 145.5 lbs (66 kg)
c, right gate post: H. 52 3/4 in. (134 cm); W. 15 3/4 in. (40 cm); D 3 1/8 in. (8 cm); Wt. 185.2 lbs (84 kg)
d, left gate post: H. 52 3/8 in. (133 cm); W. 16 1/8 in. (41 cm); D. 3 1/8 in. (8 cm); Wt. 210.5 lbs (95.5 kg)
e, right gate: H. 54 5/16 in. (138 cm); W. 22 1/16 in. (56 cm); D. 4 5/16 in. (11 cm); Wt. 26.8 lbs (121 kg)
f, left gate: H. 50 in. (127 cm); W. 21 5/8 in. (55 cm); D. 2 3/4 in. (7 cm); Wt. 253.5 lbs (115 kg) - Classification: Sculpture
- Credit Line: Lent by Shaanxi Provincial Institute of Archaeology
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art