Architectural tile with apsara, from the “Porcelain Pagoda”
After the fall of the Ming in 1644, the “Porcelain Pagoda” became a locus of nostalgic pride. The Nanjing native Zhang Dai wrote at the time: “During the Yongle era, foreigners speaking the tongues of a hundred and more countries beyond the seas came, and when they saw the Bao’en Pagoda they would without fail bow and sigh in praise as they left, saying that in all the four continents such a thing was not to be found.” (Translation by Philip Kafalas.)
Artwork Details
- 明 南京大報恩寺寳塔 飛天紋琉璃甎
- Title: Architectural tile with apsara, from the “Porcelain Pagoda”
- Period: Ming dynasty (1368–1644)
- Date: ca. 1412–30
- Culture: China
- Medium: Glazed stoneware
- Dimensions: H. 21 1/4 in. (54 cm); W. 13 in. (33 cm); D. 6 3/4 in. (17.1 cm)
- Classification: Ceramics
- Credit Line: Purchase by subscription, 1879
- Object Number: 79.2.790
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art
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Chinese
late 16th–early 17th century
China
ca. 1412–30
Wei Zhike
1635
Chinese
1368–1644
China
early 15th century
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