Now on View in the Permanent Collection
The Georgia Museum of Art’s Chinese art collection encompasses roughly 400 objects dating from the Neolithic period (7,000 – 1,700 BCE) to the Qing dynasty (1636 – 1912 CE). Chinese Funerary Ceramics
Many of these pieces are funerary objects, meaning they were buried with wealthy people. Alexis Gorby, the museum’s associate curator of academic and campus engagement, built on the work of art advisor Kendal Parker (AB ’98; MA ’01) to create a new installation in the Frances Y. Green and Harry & Caroline Gilham cases: “Buried Treasure: Funerary Ceramics from the Han and Tang Dynasties.” Mingqi, or “spirit goods,” are figurines and vessels created to help provide for the deceased in the afterlife. They became popular during the Han dynasty (206 BCE – 220 CE), and new glazing techniques were introduced during the Tang dynasty (618 – 907 CE). This installation explores the symbolism of various animals and patterns. It also highlights their extraordinarily well-preserved polychromy and glazing and provides a new look at rarely seen works from the collection.
Unidentified maker (Chinese), pottery Bactrian camel, ca. 618 – 907 CE. Ceramic, 12 × 18 × 6 3/4 inches. Georgia Museum of Art, University of Georgia; Gift of Mr. D. Jack Sawyer Jr. and Dr. William E. Torres. 2023.46.
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