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Tomb Door

CultureChinese
Date6th century C.E.
MediumLimestone
DimensionsOverall: 57 3/8 × 25 1/4 × 5 1/4 inches, 726 lb. (145.73 × 64.14 × 13.34 cm, 329.31 kg)
Credit LineAcquired from the University Museum, University of Pennsylvania, in exchange
Object number65-20/2
On View
On view
Gallery Location
  • 229
Collections
DescriptionThe object is one of a pair of limestone doors. The front surface is carved smooth with figures of a priest in a frontal pose and a lion's head carved in high relief. The incised decorative lines of the priest and lion are highlighted with a white substance. There is an iron poor-pull attached to the lion's mouth with lead. The figure of a dog facing to the proper right has been incised into the front surface along the bottom front edge. The incised lines are also highlighted with a white material. The other surfaces of the door are not carved with any type of design. The proper right edge is carved flat while the proper left side is rounded over. The door hinges, now missing, were probably located at the top and bottom of the proper left side. There is a 5/8-inch diameter hole drilled into the back surface. The impression of a square-section iron rod can be seen in the corrosion products within the hole. The hole is located approximately 11 inches down from the top and 8 inches in from the proper right side.Provenance

University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology;

Purchased from University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology by The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, MO, 1965.

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