Song Dynasty

(960-1279CE) The Song dynasty, considered the most culturally brilliant era in later imperial Chinese history, was one of the longest, peaceful, and affluent dynasties with advancements in agriculture, technology, and commerce. It saw the innovations of gunpowder and fireworks, the mechanical clock, navigation by compass, paper money, porcelain production, movable type, and superior ship building. China’s economy grew to triple that of Europe with a population of nearly 100 million. Large numbers of foreigners entered China along the Silk Roads bringing with them new ideas, religions, and social practices. In response, massive numbers of government, private and religious building and tombs were created. Cities increased and became more international with less government meddling in trade and economic affairs. Prosperity increased, society became more vibrant, literature, art and education improved with the invention of movable-type and increased woodblock printing, and civil service examinations expansion enhanced officials’ power causing a shift from a military/ upper-class aristocracy to a scholar/ administrative elite. Wood was replaced with more durable and inflammable fired bricks in buildings. The insides of the new edifices of buildings, temples, and even tombs were embellished with inexpensive mold-made decorative brick tiles filled with wet clay, fired, covered with a white slip, painted in polychrome, and placed on walls. Subjects included mythology, auspicious symbols for wealth, health,
happiness, and long life and animals, plants, and trees that were symbolic wishes for other successful endeavors and scenes of everyday life.

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  • Sale!

    Brick Molded Tile of a Foreigner, China 1516A

    Original price was: $475.00.Current price is: $325.00.
    Ht: 6.875″ W: 5.25” D: 2.25 | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    This fascinating thick Song pottery brick is a low-fired depiction of a dwarf foreigner with a rotund belly, a large head and nose, an open mouth and abnormal features. The Chinese believed dwarfs could ward off evil spirits and sickness, attract peace and blessings (fu) and were very wise. Images of dwarfs became so popular, some were produced in numbers.

  • Brick Tile of 2 Wéiqí Board Game Players, China (3346BKE) $495 SPECIAL PRICE $395

    $495.00
    H: 11” W: 9.5” \ D: 2” | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.

    As part of the The Song dynasty cultural expansion, government and public buildings and tombs were built with interior walls decorated with earthenware unglazed mold-made brick tiles. This fanciful vibrant tile with a scalloped frame portrays two people playing a board game called wéiqí which originated in China over 2500 years ago. It is the world’s oldest and most complex board game still played.

  • Brick Tile of Couple Feasting and Figure Pointing to Flying Bat, China (3349BLE) SPECIAL PRICE

    $465.00

    This late Song dynasty earthenware ceramic brick tile portrays a couple sitting behind a banquet table with foods placed in front of them. On the right are two figures, one of whom points to a stylized image of a bat flying in the sky.

  • Sale!

    Song Dynasty Tile of a Lion Dance, China #4001BLE

    Original price was: $495.00.Current price is: $395.00.
    H: 7.25 ”   W:  11.5″    D: 1.75 ”    |  FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    Song brick tiles like this decorated government, public and religious buildings, often depicting mythical animals, auspicious objects and holiday celebrations. This tile shows a traditional lion dance performed at Chinese New Year to attract prosperity and good luck for the coming year.The lion is flanked by 2 frightened children and a person in anjali mudra, symbolizing composure that could counter balance the children’s fear. 

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

    $485.00

    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…

  • Song Dynasty Tile of Woman Ascending to Heaven, China (3348BLK) $445

    $445.00

    Chinese funerary tiles, as forms of mingqi  adorned tomb as early as the Han dynasty depicting everyday scenes, entertainment, mythical beasts, folklore,  history, literature and poetry. A Han stone tomb relief rubbing in Stories from China’s Past (p. 173) labeled “Ascending to Heaven in Deer Chariot” is reflective of this Song brick-tile. During the Song…

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    Song Dynnasty Tile of Immortal with Firecracker, China #5515

    Original price was: $495.00.Current price is: $325.00.
    H: 7” W: 5” D: 2.75” | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.

    This Song earthenware tile depicts the legendary scholar, poet and alchemist Taoist deity Lu Dongbin, one of the Eight Immortals, who sought to discover the elixir of immortality and used charms still used in Chinese homes to prevent illness and ward off evil. He and his fly whisk are auspicious symbols of longevity and a wish for immortality.  Firecrackers, are traditionally used to celebrate the Chinese New Year, to bring in wishes for a safe and prosperous year, scare away evil and provide pleasure for the ancestors’ spirit.

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