Antique Chinese Ming Dynasty Sancai Glazed Terracotta Architectural Frieze Wall Tiles - A. Pair

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An extraordinary pair of Ming Dynasty (circa 1368-1644) Sancai glazed terracota Temple Door God wall tiles.

Menshen or threshold guardian … Read more An extraordinary pair of Ming Dynasty (circa 1368-1644) Sancai glazed terracota Temple Door God wall tiles.

Menshen or threshold guardian are divine guardians of temple doors and gates in Chinese folk religions, used to protect against evil people, spirits and influences and to encourage the entrance of positive ones. They began as the divine pair Shenshu and Yulü under the Han (c.202BC-220AD), but the deified generals Qin Shubao and Yuchi Gong have been more popular since the Tang (c.609-917)

Brilliantly colored in rich green, dark brown and yellow ochre hues, the tiles depicting a devine standing figure, with horns, legendary magical scarf, powerful trance like stare, meant to frighten away any potential evildoers, be they human or otherworldly, which might try to infiltrate the building it once adorned. Having a detailed geometric motif running ornamentation upper and lower border, this pair of tiles may have been part of a larger architectural frieze of glazed tiles that would have once decorated the interior or exterior of the temple building. When we imagine the entire temple covered in such tiles, from the walls to the roof, the glory of Ming Dynasty China quickly becomes apparent. Both retaining partial original wax export seals, indicating they were legally acquired and/or sold.

Excellent quality, wonderfully aged beautiful brilliant polychrome coloring, elegantly fading, having outstanding, warm rustic patina over the whole. An absolutely magnificent example of ancient Chinese folk art.

Glazed sculptural tile are today considered one of the hallmarks of classical Chinese architecture. However, despite their popularity in modern times, they were relatively scarce until after the end of the T’ang Dynasty. Even then, during the Song and Yuan Dynasties, they were still infrequently used. It was not until the rise of the Ming Dynasty that glazed sculptural tiles became a popular decorative devise extensively employed in temples, altars, imperial palaces, and gardens. Beijing became the center of glazed architectural tile production during the Ming period, and colorfully decorated pagodas began to sprout up around this region. Eaves and entryways were decorated with vibrant sculptures that served both decorative and sometimes religious purposes. On temples and palaces, representations of mounted warriors and snarling dragons were meant to ward off evildoers, of both the physical and spiritual kind. Later, during the Qing Dynasty, dragons would be replaced by stone lions and Fu / Foo dogs as the main choice of guardian creatures. However, dragons continue to be revered, as they were during the Ming era, for their infinite protective qualities.

This pair of glazed terracotta tiles would have been one of the centerpieces in the decorative scheme of a 14th, 15th or 16th century Ming Dynasty temple.

Dimensions each (approx):
12.5" High, 7.75" Wide, 1.25" Deep;
10.25 lbs total See less