Song Dynasty Tile of a Mythical Winged Pixiu, China (4019LKE) $485

Description

The Song dynasty (960–1279) is considered the most culturally brilliant era in later imperial Chinese history. A massive expansion during this dynasty produced government, public and religious buildings and tombs with walls decorated with earthenware unglazed mold-made brick tiles. Some were purely decorative and others were wishes for happiness and comfort in the  deceased’s  afterlife called mingqi. Brick tiles depicted holiday celebrations and mythology, as well as mythical animals, plants, vegetation and other auspicious objects. The  inside is a pixiu,a winged mythical animal known as the “fortune beast” with green colored wings and tail,  head of a dragon and  body of a lion. It is a powerful feng shui symbol of wealth thought to bring money and good fortune and protect people from losing wealth.   Set within a decorative curving border with an Indian inspired ogee arch at its apex it quickly moves across the framed space with an intensely protective and angry expression to guard its master, his wealth and possessions, ward off evil, search for gold, silver and other wealth,  protects wealth from disappearing and even controls the feng shui of the house. This tile might be a funerary mingqi as its protective theme and guarding of wealth are important to secure the soul of the deceased. Since most of ancient buildings containing these pieces were un-reinforced mud/brick construction and were subject to disasters, few tiles survived intact and often require repair and restoration. With areas with white slip and green paint on the surface it is in good to fair condition for its age despite some surface degrading, a restoration on the lower-left corner and the lion’s hind legs and snout, chips and paint losses and earth adherences. There is a rare handprint which functions as a seal on the rear. With the right mount it would be a wonderful wall-art decoration.