Treasures from Han Tombs

A wondrous array of great artifacts from classical China is going on display this winter at the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco. The exhibit is titled Tomb Treasures: New Discoveries from China’s Han Dynasty (206 BCE - 220 CE). This dragon is the base of a musical chime.

It might seem odd that anybody would bury a whole carillon of bronze bells in a tomb, but I saw one many years ago in another exhibit of Han treasures, so it was done at least twice.

Jade coffin.

Clay figurine of a dancer.

Jade cicadas. Cicadas were associated with eternal life because of the way they emerged almost magically from the ground after long absence.

Jade ornament.

Two small figurines listening to music, from a set of four.

Half of a belt buckle set. More at The History Blog.