Ming Dynasty Terracotta Mingqi Couch
AGE: – Ming Dynasty 1368 – 1644
CONSTRUCTION: – Terracotta
DESCRIPTION: – Ming Dynasty Terracotta Funerary Mingqi Chair
HEIGHT: – 20cm
WIDTH: – 27cm
DEPTH: – 16.5cm
WEIGHT: – 2.9 kg.
#42105 – PRICE: CONTACT
Chinese Ming Dynasty Terracotta Mingqi Couch objects made during the Ming Dynasty with a green glaze and moulded decoration.
Although Mingqi objects were made prolifically during the Han Dynasty until the Tang Dynasty specifically for burial purposes, the practice of making these grave goods declined from the 10th to the 14th Century AD.
However, during the Ming dynasty, there was a revival in placing miniature representations of glazed terracotta objects such as furniture, food, houses, and animal offerings into the burial chamber with the departed.
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Mingqi, often translated as “spirit objects” or “vessels for ghosts,” are a fascinating aspect of ancient Chinese burial customs. These objects, which ranged from daily utensils and musical instruments to figurines of soldiers and animals, were placed in tombs as part of elaborate funerary practices. The tradition of mingqi reflects the Chinese belief in an afterlife where the deceased would need the same comforts and amenities they enjoyed in life.
The practice became particularly elaborate during the Han Dynasty, where mingqi could include entire miniature farms and buildings, replicating the deceased’s environment in the mortal world. This not only provided the deceased with necessities but also served a symbolic purpose, representing the continuation of care and respect from the living to the dead. Mingqi also had a role in maintaining cosmic harmony, as it was believed that the proper treatment of the deceased’s ‘po’, or earthly soul, would ensure balance and order.
The rich variety of mingqi found in archaeological sites offers invaluable insights into the daily life, architectural styles, and belief systems of the Chinese in ancient times. These artifacts, now treasured by collectors and historians, continue to tell the stories of a civilization long past, yet whose cultural legacy still resonates today.
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