Tomb figure

This earthenware of a male figure served as a burial ware or ‘ming qi’, possibly during the Song dynasty (960-1279). It has its eyes, eyebrows and lips painted in brown. It also has incised lines and painted brown lines on its robes. The custom of making ‘mingqi’ was an ancient one. It is thought these wares were necessary for the deceased in the next world. Elaborate groups of burial wares were also a display of wealth and social status.

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