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Haniwa Head of a Dog

Asian Art

The Yayoi Period was succeeded by the era known as the Kofun, Tumulus, or Grave Mound Period. This era witnessed the development of communities under the centralized authority of one family. One of the features of the period was the construction of monumental tombs for its rulers. Hollow cylindrical figures such as this head from a figure of a dog, modeled with characteristic directness and simplicity, were placed around the outside of the tomb.

MEDIUM Buff-red earthenware
  • Place Made: Japan
  • DATES 5th–6th century
    PERIOD Kofun Period
    DIMENSIONS 16 3/8 x 15 1/4 x 9 3/8 in. (including stand)  (show scale)
    COLLECTIONS Asian Art
    ACCESSION NUMBER 1996.123.1
    CREDIT LINE Gift of Mrs. Carl L. Selden
    EXHIBITIONS
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
    CAPTION Haniwa Head of a Dog, 5th–6th century. Buff-red earthenware, 16 3/8 x 15 1/4 x 9 3/8 in. (including stand). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mrs. Carl L. Selden, 1996.123.1. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 1996.123.1_SL1.jpg)
    IMAGE overall, 1996.123.1_SL1.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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    RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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