ridge-tile BM-1962-1019.2

Period:Ming dynasty Production date:1490-1620 (circa)
Materials:earthenware
Technique:glazed, moulded, pierced,
Subjects:warrior
Dimensions:Height: 38.90 centimetres Length: 26 centimetres Weight: 4.75 kilograms Width: 14.10 centimetres Depth: 31.40 centimetres

Description:
Earthenware ridge tile modelled in the form of a celestial warrior riding a flying horse with green, yellow and black glazes. This ridge tile is modelled in the form of an armour-clad celestial warrior, riding a flying horse across clouds. The celestial warrior has a small bearded head with a square black hat and Y-shaped chain-mail armour which is just visible beneath his robes. His hands are clenched as if they once held the shaft of a weapon, now missing. The warrior’s mount is a dappled horse with a plaited mane, fitted with a bridle and saddle with stirrups. The saddle cloth meets the crest of a ‘ruyi’-shaped cloud to support the figure and further clouds support the horse’s hooves. Underneath the tile is pierced and the central section is hollow to fit over a peg along the ridge of a roof. All three green, amber and black glazes are much weather-worn.
IMG


Comments:Harrison-Hall 2001:Earlier Yuan dynasty buildings with celestial warriors on horseback are preserved in Shanxi province, including those figures at the Guangsheng monastery in Hongtong county erected in 1305. Decorating the roof with ornamental figures from popular mythology who were associated with supernatural powers was thought to protect a building from harm. Unlike BM 1937.0716.107, which portrays Guandi, this tile depicts a generic representation of a military man. Two celestial warriors on tiles act in the same way as sculptures of military and civil officials along a spirit way, symbolizing military might and civilian beaurocracy.