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The inclusion of miniature watchtowers, as well as replicas of
mansions, silos, and animal pens, in late Han dynasty tombs indicates
the importance of private estates during this time. The front
and only entrance of this strongly fortified watchtower made of
glazed earthware is guarded by a tall gate with a gabled roof
and heavy doors. Two monster-faced doorknockers convey a sense
of awe and power. The five-story tower has a mezzanine under each
roof with latticed windows and a wide opening in the center from
which a guard looks out. The main floors have solid walls with
a narrow central window flanked on each side by a pair of shields
and crossbows. From the railed porches archers could take their
positions. Four large circular gongs hang from the top of the
tower, one on each side. Men with hammers, ready to strike sit
next to the gongs whose sounds would alert workers in the fields
in times of crisis.
Not only does the presence of models such as this in tombs reveal
their importance to their owners, but because no wooden structures
survive in China earlier than the Tang dynasty, they also provide
glimpses of ancient Chinese architecture. As can be seen, the
standard Chinese architectural features of tiled roofs supported
by columns with elaborate brackets were used as early as the Han
dynasty.
A Closer Look
Glazed earthenware replicas of models of watchtowers, as well
as replicas of mansions, silos, well heads, animal pens, and kitchen
stoves, found in late-Han-dynasty tombs demonstrate the importance
of landowners, who controlled private estates and wielded increasing
political might during this time. Everything about this clay model
(the original building would have been made of wood with tiled
roofs) conveys a sense of solid defense and opulence. The front
and only entrance is guarded by a tall gate with a gabled roof
and heavy doors. Two monster-face doorknockers enhance this image
of power. Alert watchmen with shields and crossbows at hand guard
the five-story structure. Four large circular gongs hang from
the top of the tower, one on each side, with men sitting next
to them, hammers ready to sound the alarm in time of crisis. The
tower’s sheer size, its elaborate defenses, and the numerous architectural
details testify to the power and wealth of the landowners.
Notice
• The size of the watchtower—the largest such
model known--and the quantity and intricacy of the decorative
details
• How the clay was shaped to form the many elements of
this watchtower
• The gongs, shields, and bows that complete the structure's
defense system
Consider
• The sense of social insecurity that led to
the need for and production of a fortified watchtower with a
large surrounding wall and massive gate, gongs, and armed sentries.
What does it indicate about the effectiveness of the central
government that private homes required such fortification?
• In addition to a model of one’s house or a copy
of the deed to one’s land (the ancient Chinese interred
replicas of deeds in the form of stone tablets), what other
items might one include in a present day tomb to reflect a person’s
landholdings?
Visit the Met
• Other late-Han architectural models at the
Met include a watchtower with a moat,
a multistoried mansion, and a variety of small functional structures
such as a grain silo, a mill, a well head, and several animal
pens. These replicas, which are currently in the special exhibition,
are usually on display in the Charlotte C. Weber Galleries.
Did You Know?
Because no wood buildings earlier than those built
in the Tang dynasty survive in China, these Han dynasty miniature
replicas provide useful glimpses of what buildings at that time
looked like. As this watchtower shows, the standard Chinese
architectural features of tiled roofs supported by columns with
elaborate brackets were used as early as the Han dynasty.
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