During the Han Dynasty sculptural effigies of
domesticated animals were often interred in the
tombs of nobility and elite members of the social
hierarchy. Created in all media, these sculptures
accompanied the spirit of the deceased into the
afterlife. Similar examples of oxen exist,
discovered buried as part of a herd, contained
inside a sculpted miniature pen with other
domesticated animals, suggesting that they
served as nourishment. However, this bull,
pulling a cart behind him, clearly functioned as a
beast of burden that was to perform onerous
chores throughout eternity. Besides its function,
this sculpture is also remarkable for its exquisite
state of preservation. Remnants of the original
paint that once decorated the work are visible on
the sides of the cart and the animal’s face. Such
delicate pigments rarely survive the ravages of
time and the stresses of excavation. The cart is a
masterpiece unto itself, composed of three
separate pieces: the cart structure and two
wheels with spokes. During the Han Dynasty, the
Chinese believed that the afterlife was a
continuation of our earthly existence. Thus, this
bull and cart was entombed in place of the real
thing in order to provide for the transport needs
of the deceased as he journeys through the
afterlife. This work is more than a mere
sculpture; it is a gorgeous memorial to the
religious and philosophical beliefs of the Han
Dynasty.
- (DL.2064)
|
