Cleveland Museum of Art

Section of a Sarcophagus Foundation or Epitaph Stone

Date

late 600s–early 700s

Medium

limestone with carved decoration

Culture

China, Tang dynasty (618–907)

Department

Chinese Art

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

This slab may have come from either the foundation of a house-shaped coffin or an epitaph stone that was inscribed with a dedication to the deceased. The combination of realistic and imaginary animals is typical of Tang funerary art. A qilin , an elephant, and a chimera bound through coiling foliate and floral motifs in each cartouche.

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