Period:Ming dynasty Production date:1412-1431 (circa)
Materials:earthenware
Technique:glazed, moulded,
Subjects:lotus
Dimensions:Diameter: 5 centimetres Height: 13 centimetres Width: 23 centimetres
Description:
Earthenware wall tile with moulded decoration, green and yellow glazes. This rectangular section of a rectangular tile, which relates stylistically to the ‘Da Bao’en si’, has relief decoration on the front face showing a large yellow lotus flower in the middle, revealing its central seed pod, flanked by two smaller yellow blooms, all with green-glazed curling ‘ruyi’-style foliage on a green ground. The top and bottom edges of the tile slope downwards. The back is unglazed and the sides are broken off.
IMG
![图片[1]-wall-tile BM-Franks.922-China Archive](https://chinaarchive.net/Ming dynasty/43/mid_00254486_001.jpg)
Comments:Harrison-Hall 2001:These architectural elements were probably made for the ‘Da Bao’en si’, Nanjing. Construction of the ‘Da Bao’en si’ temple complex began in the Yongle reign in 1412 and was completed in the Xuande era in 1431. The lotus is closely associated with Buddhism and was introduced to China as a decorative motif from India. It is a symbol of purity as it grows in muddied waters and yet produces unsullied blooms. Seeds are also an auspicious emblem as the Chinese words for seed and son both have the same sound. A depiction of a seed pod would have the underlying meaning of a wish for many descendents.
Materials:earthenware
Technique:glazed, moulded,
Subjects:lotus
Dimensions:Diameter: 5 centimetres Height: 13 centimetres Width: 23 centimetres
Description:
Earthenware wall tile with moulded decoration, green and yellow glazes. This rectangular section of a rectangular tile, which relates stylistically to the ‘Da Bao’en si’, has relief decoration on the front face showing a large yellow lotus flower in the middle, revealing its central seed pod, flanked by two smaller yellow blooms, all with green-glazed curling ‘ruyi’-style foliage on a green ground. The top and bottom edges of the tile slope downwards. The back is unglazed and the sides are broken off.
IMG
Comments:Harrison-Hall 2001:These architectural elements were probably made for the ‘Da Bao’en si’, Nanjing. Construction of the ‘Da Bao’en si’ temple complex began in the Yongle reign in 1412 and was completed in the Xuande era in 1431. The lotus is closely associated with Buddhism and was introduced to China as a decorative motif from India. It is a symbol of purity as it grows in muddied waters and yet produces unsullied blooms. Seeds are also an auspicious emblem as the Chinese words for seed and son both have the same sound. A depiction of a seed pod would have the underlying meaning of a wish for many descendents.
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