Cleveland Museum of Art

Architectural Brick with Dancer in Relief

Date

before 870

Medium

molded terracotta with slip coating

Culture

China, Henan Province, Anyang, Xiudingsi pagoda, Tang dynasty (618–907)

Department

Chinese Art

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

This brick originally formed part of the exterior wall of the pagoda at the Xiudingsi Buddhist monastery near Anyang, Henan province. The Xiudingsi pagoda, datable before 870 by an inscription carved on one brick, is the only building that survives from the once large monastic complex. This bearded Western Asian figure is dancing with his scarf twisting into curling streamers.

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