WASHINGTON DC, Stati Uniti: Custodi della cripta cinese in mostra presso la Arthur M. Sackler Gallery di Washington DC. Queste antiche sculture funerarie, parte della collezione dello Smithsonian Institution, offrono informazioni sulle usanze di sepoltura cinesi e sulle credenze sull'aldilà, mostrando l'intricata arte degli antichi manufatti tombali cinesi.
7360 x 4912 px | 62,3 x 41,6 cm | 24,5 x 16,4 inches | 300dpi
Data acquisizione:
3 luglio 2012
Ubicazione:
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Washington, District of Columbia, United States of America
Altre informazioni:
Photograph by David Coleman. The Chinese crypt guardians exhibited at the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery provide a fascinating glimpse into ancient Chinese burial practices and beliefs about the afterlife. These sculptures, also known as zhenmushou or tomb guardian beasts, were typically placed in pairs at the entrances of tombs to ward off evil spirits and protect the deceased. Originating in the Han Dynasty (206 BCE - 220 CE) and evolving through subsequent dynasties, these guardians often feature mythical hybrid creatures combining features of various animals and sometimes human elements. They may be made of materials such as ceramic, stone, or bronze, with varying levels of detail and ornamentation depending on the period and the status of the tomb's occupant. The guardians often exhibit fierce expressions and imposing stances, reflecting their protective role. Some may have wings, horns, or other fantastical features, embodying supernatural power. The Sackler Gallery, part of the Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art, provides an ideal setting for these artifacts. Founded in 1982 and opened to the public in 1987, the gallery offers visitors a chance to explore the rich artistic and cultural heritage of Asia. These crypt guardians serve as tangible links to ancient Chinese spiritual beliefs, artistic traditions, and funerary customs, offering insights into the complex relationship between the living and the dead in Chinese culture.
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