Chinese hillside tomb model

Content Description

A carved black soapstone with etchings in white modeling the shape and design of a hillside tomb in south China. 2" by 4". Front panel comes up to eject coffin and devil's screen in front is movable. A handwritten note with the old Pacific Museum records states that the model was "probably developed from ancient cave burials. The slope of the hillside can easily be defined. The level court yard in front is too often decorated elaborately. For example, a famous scholars tomb in the Fuzhou area had a model of an ink slab flanked by stone pews upright about seven or eight feet tall. The panel opposite the opening is often a devil's screen analogous to those erected of doors to keep the devils out. Only in models is there a spring to pop the coffin out."

Acquisition Type

Gift

Restrictions Apply

No