The overextension of the labor force
during the
Qin Dynasty would result in a popular
uprising
against the empire. In 206 B.C., Liu
Bang, a Qin
official, led an army composed of
peasants and
some lower nobility to victory and
established his
own Dynasty in place, the Han. However,
unlike
the Qin, the Han would unify China and
rule
virtually uncontested for over four
hundred
years. It is during this time that much
of what is
now considered to be Chinese culture was
first
actualized. The bureaucracy started
under the
Qin was now firmly established. The
vast lands
of China were now under the firm grip of
a
central authority. Confucianism became
the
state ideology although the worship of
Taoist
deity remained widespread, both among
the
peasants and the aristocracy. Ancient
histories
and texts were analyzed and rewritten to
be
more objective while new legendary myths
and
cultural epics were transcribed.
The Han era can also be characterized as
one of
the greatest artistic outpourings in
Chinese
history, easily on par with the glories
of their
Western contemporaries, Greece and Rome.
Wealth pouring into China from trade
along the
Silk Road initiated a period of
unprecedented
luxury. Stunning bronze vessels were
created,
decorated with elegant inlaid gold and
silver
motifs. Jade carvings reached a new
level of
technical brilliance. But perhaps the
artistic
revival of the Han Dynasty is nowhere
better
represented than in their sculptures and
vessels
that were interred with deceased nobles.
Called
mingqi, literally meaning “spirit
articles,” these
works depicted a vast array of subject,
from
warriors and horses to ovens and
livestock,
which were buried alongside the dead for
use in
the next world, reflecting the Chinese
belief that
the afterlife was an extension of our
earthy
existence. Thus, quite logically, the
things we
require to sustain and nurture our
bodies in this
life would be just as necessary in our
next life.
The Han Dynasty, like the Zhou before
it, is
divided into two distinct periods, the
Western
Han (206 B.C.-9 A.D.) and the Eastern
Han (23-
220 A.D.) with a brief interlude.
Towards the
end of the Western period, a series of
weak
emperors ruled the throne, controlled
from
behind the scenes by Wang Mang and Huo
Guang, both relatives of empresses.
They both
exerted enormous influence over the
government and when the last emperor
suddenly
passed away, Mang became ruling advisor,
seizing this opportunity to declare his
own
Dynasty, the Xin, or “New.” However,
another
popular uprising began joined by the
members
of the Liu clan, the family that ruled
the Han
Dynasty, the Xin came to a quick end and
the
Eastern Han was established in its place
with its
capital at Loyang (Chang’an, the capital
of the
Western Han, was completely destroyed).
However, even as Chinese influence
spread
across Southeastern Asia into new lands,
the
Eastern Han Dynasty was unable to
recreate the
glories of the Western Period. In fact,
this period
can be characterized by a bitter power
struggle
amongst a group of five consortial
clans. These
families sought to control the young,
weak
emperors with their court influence.
Yet, as the
emperors became distrustful of the
rising power
of the clans, they relied upon their
eunuchs to
defend them, often eliminating entire
families at
a time. During the Western Han, the
Emperor
was viewed as the center of the
universe.
However, this philosophy slowly
disintegrated
under the weak, vulnerable rulers of the
Eastern
Han, leading many scholars and officials
to
abandon the court. Eventually, the
power of the
Han would completely erode, ending with
its
dissolution and the beginning of the
period
known as the “Three Kingdoms.”
This terracotta dog is a splendid
example of
mingqi, literally translated as:
“items for
the next world.” During the Han
Dynasty, the
ancient Chinese believed that the
afterlife was an
extension of our earthly existence.
Thus, high-
ranking members of the social hierarchy
were
buried in splendid tombs replete with
replicas of
their daily lives rendered in all media.
It is not
uncommon to find ornate dinner sets with
elegantly painted utensils, wine
vessels, and food
storage containers. Sculpted replica of
warriors
and guardians provided protection as
musicians
and entertainers provided company.
Likewise,
herds of domesticated animals were
interred
alongside the deceased to serve as food
sources
in the afterlife.
Although it is possible that this dog
was
entombed for consumption in the next
world,
the studded collar and harness he wears
suggests otherwise. More likely, this
dog was a
beloved companion who served his owner
well
both on earth and beyond. His ears
stand
upwards in attention, as if carefully
guarding his
master throughout eternity. The heavy
folds of
skin around the eyes, feet, and jowls
and the
curly tail, as well as the general size
and stature,
suggest that this dog may be an ancient
Chinese
Shar Pei, a breed noted for their
wrinkled
physique. Although similar works were
meant to
serve as food for the afterlife, the
love and
attention invested in the creation of
this
stunning work of art suggests that this
dog is
much more than food. Instead, this
beloved pet
sits faithfully by his master’s side
throughout
eternity.