China: A well dressed woman, Tang Dynasty (618 - 906 CE) tomb pottery figure, Jiayuguan, Gansu Province. (Jiayuguan Museum of the Great Wall)

Tang dynasty tomb figures are pottery figures of people and animals made in the Tang dynasty of China (618–906) as grave goods to be placed in tombs. There was a belief that the figures represented would become available for the service of the deceased in the afterlife.

The figures are made of moulded earthenware with colour generally being added, though often not over the whole figure, or in logical places. Where the colouring was in paint it has often not survived, but in many cases it was in sancai ('three-colour') ceramic glaze, which has generally lasted well.

Copyright:

CPA Media Co. Ltd.

Photographer:

David Henley

Credit:

Pictures From Asia