What is Chinese tomb art? Compare two terracotta figures from the Qin dynasty.

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Terracotta army reproduction in one-third scale.

 

 

INTRODUCTION:

  • Tomb art
    • History
    • Function
      • Afterlife use
      • Religious sacrifice
    • Legacy
      • Time capsule – better insight of ancient China society
  • Tomb sculpture – Qin Shihuangdi tomb
    • Brief description
    • Terracotta warriors – Human victims replaced with pottery substitutes
      • Mass quantities
      • Life size
      • Look unique
  • MAIN POINT: Result of Mass production and standardizing society
    • Kneeling archer & Armored general

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How were they made

trigger-parts

Mechanism of crossbow

 

 

BODY:

  • Difference
    • Unique facial features and body parts
    • Costume
    • Hair bun
    • Body gestures – suggest holding something
      • Crossbow and arrows
        • Position: Archer
        • Interchangeable
      • Bronze sword
        • Position: General

 

  • Similarity
    • Making process
      • Material – baked clay
      • Heads and 4 limbs created separately
      • Inscription
        • Hierarchy production system
    • Missing weapons mass produced
      • Large quantities
      • Precision
      • Moulding
CONCLUSION:
  • Terracotta warriors reflect Chinese art and culture rely on complex mass production system
  • Protection &Reservation
    • Color
    • Qin Shihuangdi’s Mausoleum

 

 

BIBLOGRAPHY

Lethar Ledderose. Ten Thousand Things: Module and Mass Production in Chinese Art (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2000), 51-73.

Jessica Rawson, ed., The British Museum Book of Chinese Art (London: British Museum Press, 1999), 134-149.

“House Model,” Asian Art Museum,  accessed March 11, 2016, http: //www.education.asianart.org/explore-resources/artwork/house-model