During the Tang 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. While similar examples exist, most were
found harnessed to wagons and carts and were
meant to function as beasts of burden. However,
this sculpture was discovered buried as part of a
herd, contained inside a sculpted miniature pen with
other domesticated animals, suggesting that this ox
served as nourishment. Aside from function, this
sculpture is also remarkable for its exquisite state
of preservation. During the Tang Dynasty, the
Chinese believed that the afterlife was a
continuation of our earthly existence. Thus,
logically, as we require food to nourish our bodies
on earth, so too will we require food to nourish our
souls in the afterlife. Created to serve as food for
the afterlife, this work is more than a mere
sculpture; it is a gorgeous memorial to the religious
and philosophical beliefs of the T’ang Dynasty. This
bovine effigy has served its eternal purpose well.
Today, it continues to nourish our souls with its
beauty and grace.
- (H.763)
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