Mythical Figure, 5th–3rd century B.C.E. Wood, horn, lacquer, and polychrome, assembled: 41 5/8 x 30 1/2 x 12 3/16 in. (105.7 x 77.5 x 31.0 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Gisele Croes, purchase gift of Mr. and Mrs. Leon Black, Dr. and Mrs. Richard Dickes, Mr. and Mrs. Rohit Desai, and Brooklyn Museum Collection, 1999.20a-d. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 1999.20a-d_SL3.jpg)
Mythical Figure, 5th–3rd century B.C.E. Wood, horn, lacquer, and polychrome, assembled: 41 5/8 x 30 1/2 x 12 3/16 in. (105.7 x 77.5 x 31.0 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Gisele Croes, purchase gift of Mr. and Mrs. Leon Black, Dr. and Mrs. Richard Dickes, Mr. and Mrs. Rohit Desai, and Brooklyn Museum Collection, 1999.20a-d. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.1999.20a-d_side_bw.jpg)
Mythical Figure
Asian Art
On View: Asian Galleries, West, 2nd floor (China)
This large menacing creature with antlers and a protruding tongue is a guardian (zhen mu shou), often found in tombs of the Chu culture in the southern Chinese provinces of Hunan, Henan, and Hubei during the Warring States through Western Han (206 B.C.E.–9 C.E.) periods. They are found placed in the chamber of the tomb, closest to the head of the tomb occupant and facing inward toward the occupant, in order to protect the deceased. Chu culture is renowned for its elaborately carved and painted lacquer objects; designs similar to the ones on this mythical guardian are also found on Chu textiles and inlaid bronzes of the same period.
MEDIUM
Wood, horn, lacquer, and polychrome
DATES
5th–3rd century B.C.E.
DYNASTY
Eastern Zhou Dynasty
PERIOD
Warring States Period
DIMENSIONS
assembled: 41 5/8 x 30 1/2 x 12 3/16 in. (105.7 x 77.5 x 31.0 cm) (show scale)
COLLECTIONS
Asian Art
ACCESSION NUMBER
1999.20a-d
CREDIT LINE
Gift of Gisele Croes, purchase gift of Mr. and Mrs. Leon Black, Dr. and Mrs. Richard Dickes, Mr. and Mrs. Rohit Desai, and Brooklyn Museum Collection
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
This figure is from the Chu culture, which is renowned for its remarkable lacquers. The Mythical Figure exemplifies the more sculptural emphasis on this tradition. Representing an imaginary animal, the work is also significant in regards to funerary practices of the Chu culture; the antlers, protruding tongue, and composite human-dragon features function to protect the deceased and connect the visible world with the realm of the spirits. In addition, the Chu lacquer tradition reflects enormous cross-influences between media. The ornament in red, brown, and black that decorates the Mythical Figure's surface reiterates the complex patterning of textiles and inlaid bronzes.
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is on view in Asian Galleries, West, 2nd floor (China)
CAPTION
Mythical Figure, 5th–3rd century B.C.E. Wood, horn, lacquer, and polychrome, assembled: 41 5/8 x 30 1/2 x 12 3/16 in. (105.7 x 77.5 x 31.0 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Gisele Croes, purchase gift of Mr. and Mrs. Leon Black, Dr. and Mrs. Richard Dickes, Mr. and Mrs. Rohit Desai, and Brooklyn Museum Collection, 1999.20a-d. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 1999.20a-d_SL3.jpg)
IMAGE
overall, 1999.20a-d_SL3.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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