Antique Song Tile of a Mythical Animal, China (4019LKE)

Description

During the Song Dynasty earthenware unglazed brick tiles made using a mould were produced to decorate inner chamber walls of tombs and government and public buildings. When used as funerary decorations to wish the deceased comfort in the afterlife, they are examples of mingqi and part of ancestral honor. Subjects of brick tiles include holiday celebrations and mythology and often included mythical animals, plants, vegetation and other auspicious objects. These brick tiles were filled with wet clay, fired, covered with a white slip, painted in polychrome and affixed on walls, doors and elsewhere in tombs and government and public buildings. This vibrant tile is framed by a decorative curved wide border with a pointed ogee arch (an Indian artistic tradition) at the apex.  The winged pixiu inside is mythical animal with the ability to ward off evil, search for gold, silver and other wealth, who protects its master and wealth from disappearing and even controls the feng shui of the house. This tile The might be a funerary tile or mingqi as its protective theme and guarding wealth are important as the family is tasked to protect and attend to the soul of the deceased. Most ancient buildings containing these pieces used traditional un-reinforced mud/brick construction and were subject to disasters. Few survived intact and often required 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. This is part of the VA Antique-Chinese-Ceramics-and-Pottery Collection.