Chinese Temple Attendant
DateTang Dynasty, 618-906
Object NameFigure
Mediumearthenware
ClassificationsCeramics
DimensionsOverall Figure (Height x Width x Depth): 270 × 100 × 85mm
Base of Figure (Width x Depth): 75 × 70mm
Overall Wooden Stand (Height x Width x Depth): 20 x 87 × 78mm
Base of Figure (Width x Depth): 75 × 70mm
Overall Wooden Stand (Height x Width x Depth): 20 x 87 × 78mm
AcquisitionBeatrice Claeson Gordon Bequest, 1990.
LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub
Object numberABDMS015034
About MeIt was an ancient Chinese belief that the world one passed to after death was similar to the living world. Therefore, in order to maintain one’s status in the next world, a tomb should be provided with all the things one had used in this life. Royalty and the aristocracy were buried with vast numbers of vessels for food and drink. By the time of the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220) the practice of sacrificing servants for burial with their masters had stopped and instead, clay models of servants, ladies in waiting and military escorts were made to accompany the body to the next life.More About Me
Ancient Chinese belief had it that the world after death resembled the living one, so clay models of attendants like this were made to accompany the body to the next life
Exhibitions
Tang Dynasty, 618 - 906
Qing Dynasty, 19th century
Qing Dynasty, late 19th century
Qing Dynasty, Guangxu Period, late 19th century
James Cromar Watt
Qing Dynasty Qianlong/Jiaqing Period, 1736 - 1820
19th Century
Tang Dynasty, 618-906
Qing Dynasty, 19th Century
20th Century
Qing Dynasty, late 19th century
Qing Dynasty, mid 19th century
Qing Dynasty, possibly 19th century
Qing Dynasty, late 19th century
