A HAN Ceramic Tile

A HAN CERAMIC TILE

#chinese #ceramic #tile #dragon #AGNSW #asianart

This is one of my favorite objects in the Art Gallery of NSW Asiann collection.

It's small and rough but yet striking and a bit of a mystery.

Is that an angle or a man wearing a cape. Is he dancing taming or fighting with the dragon. Is he a warrior or a shaman or a spirit?

As for the dragon notice how even in this early depiction it has a flexible body and some kind of head crest.

Despite its gray coloring this tile always catches my eye when I visit the Asian art room! It tends to be rotated in and out of storage due to its small size.

I love the composition too!

The next few posts will focus on Chinese sculpture in various mediums.

HAN dynasty Lacquer

#handynasty #lacquer #chinese

Most people think probably of Carved Red lacquer or maybe something with inlay when they think of Chinese lacquer however Chinese lacquer has many styles and techniques as Japanese does.

Here's a lovely example of a simple yet complex box. 

How can I describe it as both? The underlying form is simple and basic but look at the pattern with its engraved lines filled with a different or possibly carved down to a different underlying color. The caption didn't say which technique was used but the result is exquisite. 

My point? Apart form displaying the diversity of Chinese lacquer don't be mislead if you have only seen items made for tourists. Chinese Lacquer is diverse too!

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