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Ceramic roof tile with fragment of apsara, cloud designs

Korean

Artwork Details

Ceramic roof tile with fragment of apsara, cloud designs
676-935
Korean
earthenware
2 1/4 x 7/8 in. (5.7 x 2.1 cm)
Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Peter Greiner
1979/2.3

Description

Subject Matter:

Apsara design was appeared in Three Dynasty period. It can be found on the ancient tomb mural or espically on the Buddhist temple bell. It was usually carved in the form of bilateral symmetry on the roof-tile.

Physical Description:

It is a fragment of roof-end tile with apsara design in relief.

This fragment of a red-brown, high-fired concave eave-end roof tile features a bicheon or apsaras (a celestial being of the clouds and waters in Hindu and Buddhist mythology) design. It is made from fine clay, resulting in a smooth surface and robust appearance. The left part of the tile is no longer present; only the heavenly cloth and cloud design remain. The narrow upper and lower rims of this tile are bordered with rows of dots, while the left and right edges have no rim. Clear traces of trimming and smoothing with water are visible on the edges and back of the tile.
[Korean Collection, University of Michigan Museum of Art (2017) p.36]

Usage Rights:

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