Life in the Emperor’s Tomb

Chinese Art from the T.T. Tsui Collection in the National Gallery of Australia

Video Programme 11am, Sunday 7 February

‘The buried army of Qin Shihuang

Lecture 11am, Sunday 14 February

Professor Bill Willmot will speak on

Ancient Chinese Cultures

Chinese painting demonstration 2pm, Sunday 21 February

Some the earliest evidence of civilisation in China dates from the Neolithic period (c. 8000-2000 BC).

Chinese funerary wares first captured the imagination of the West when the tomb of the powerful Qin emperor, Qin Shihuang, was discovered in 1974 near Xian. Built around 205 BC, the tomb was crammed with thousands of life-sized terracotta sculptures of the Emperor’s army and retinue.

By the time of the Shang dynasty (c. 1600-1000 BC) it is apparent that there were well-ordered rituals associated with burial and that beliefs in the power of gods and spirits played an important role in Shang culture.

During subsequent dynasties burial rituals followed similar patterns until the time of the great Chinese philosopher, Confucius (551-479 BC).

Since the earliest times, creation myths have existed and folk heroes and heroines abound as do stories of extraordinary mythical creatures and the power of the spirit world.

LIFE IN THE EMPEROR’S TOMB runs at the Robert McDougall Art Gallery from 4 February – 4 April, 1999.

All objects included in the exhibition are from the National Gallery of Australia Collection.

The exhibition objects were generously gifted to the National Gallery of Australia Collection by Dr. T.T. Tsui LLD, JP.

The National Gallery of Australia has organised the exhibition, which will tour Australia later in 1999.

The exhibition includes a range of objects spanning the Neolithic period (c.6500 – 2000 BC) to the Qing dynasty (1644 – 1912 AD).

The Robert McDougall Art Gallery would like to thank the sponsors of this exhibition – the Asia 2000 Foundation of New Zealand and the Christchurch Casino.

The exhibition is scheduled to coincide with the National Festival of Asia, 19-29 March, 1999.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON THE EXHIBITION

(extracts from the exhibition catalogue)

The rituals associated with the burial and worship of ancestors have characterised much of China’s cultural history.

Some of the earliest evidence of civilisation in China dates from the Neolithic period (c.6500 – 2000 BC). The excavation of large burial sites reveal that, even then, death was already accompanied by some ritual processes. Buried in pits, the deceased were found with food containers and other possessions, possibly thought to assist the smooth passage of the dead to the next world. Two funerary vessels from this time are in the exhibition and demonstrate the bold geometric style of this period.

By the time of the Shang dynasty (c.1600 – c.1000 BC) there were well- ordered rituals associated with burial, and belief in the power of gods and spirits played an important role in Shang culture. Excavations of burial chambers, which consisted of large underground rooms, have uncovered a wealth of funerary objects including bronze vessels, jade ornaments and evidence of human sacrifice – often on a large scale.

During subsequent dynasties burial rituals followed similar patterns until the time of the great Chinese philosopher, Confucius (551-479 BC) whose teachings were to have a fundamental influence on all future Chinese religious and philosophical beliefs.

During the Han period (206 BC – 220 BC) regular trade with other areas such as the Middle East and Central Asia, and the practices of these cultures were gradually adopted in China. Tombs of noblemen were decorated with ceramic miniatures of their houses, servants and animals as testament to the rank or social standing of the deceased.

The unusually large Saddled Horse from the exhibition is an example of this, as is the expressive Reclining Dog. Funerary wares from this period provide important information about the nature of daily life.

Although united again by the short-lived Sui dynasty (581-618), it was during the ensuing Tang dynasty (618 – 907 AD) that the imperial power of China was restored. This was a period of great cultural flowering for China. The religions of Daoism and Buddhism grew in support, and tomb imagery of this period reflected these new influences. Tomb entrances were guarded by Buddhist lokapalas (warrior-like guardians from the spirit world) and Daoist figures of mythical beasts. Lokapala – Guardian figure can be seen trampling a demon or dwarf and is a symbol of the defeat of evil.

Artistically and intellectually, the Ming dynasty (1368 – 1644 AD) was a period of renaissance in China. Art drew heavily on the past, and both painters and potters imitated favoured styles from former dynasties. Tombs at this time were large above-ground structures, with avenues lined with stone sculptures of officials and animal figures leading to them.

The Qing dynasty (1644 – 1912 AD) was to be China’s last, and was a conservative time which focused artistically on refining techniques, but was lacking in the spontaneity and originality of earlier periods. Attitudes to funerary wares were changing and tomb burials never reached their previous magnitude again.

This brief chronology reveals that creation myths have existed since earliest times. Folk heroes and heroines abound, as do stories of extraordinary mythical creatures and the power of the spirit world.

All of these beliefs have become completely entwined with Confucian ideology and Buddhist and Daoist practices, resulting in an extremely complex religious system.