The west wall of a funerary shrine
China, Shandong province, The west wall of a funerary shrine, mid-2nd century, limestone with carved and incised designs, Museum Purchase: Ella M. Hirsch Fund, public domain, 38.51
This work is not currently on view.
- Title
The west wall of a funerary shrine
- Date
mid-2nd century
- Period
China: Eastern Han period (25-220 CE)
- Medium
limestone with carved and incised designs
- Dimensions (H x W x D)
63 3/4 in x 39 1/2 in x 9 1/2 in
- Collection Area
Asian Art
- Category
Sculpture
Architectural Elements
- Object Type
relief
architectural element
- Culture
Chinese
- Credit Line
Museum Purchase: Ella M. Hirsch Fund
- Accession Number
38.51
- Copyright
public domain
- Terms
- Place Made
Created in: Shandong Province
This stone slab originally formed the western gable-end wall of a funerary shrine where family members could gather to pay reverence to their deceased ancestors.
The Queen Mother of the West, a Daoist deity whose cult thrived during the Han dynasty, presides over the entire scene. She is seated at top center, surrounded by her devotees. In her entourage are two rabbits that pound the magic elixir of immortality in a large pestle.
In the upper rectangular register, two rows of large figures depict famous characters from Chinese history and legend, while the smaller figures enact a performance of dancing and juggling on drums. In the lower register, a procession of chariots exits to the right. The bottom row may depict a magistrate (the tallest figure, and perhaps the chief tomb occupant) meting out punishment for criminals: two men have their legs severed below the knee, and another is in shackles.