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Male demon
Male demon

Male demon

Place of Origin
  • China; Anyang county, Henan province
Date618-907
MaterialsEarthenware
DimensionsH. 16 3/4 in x W. 14 1/2 in x D. 4 1/2 in, H. 42.5 cm x W. 36. 8 cm x D. 11.4 cm
Credit LineThe Avery Brundage Collection
Object numberB60S57+
DepartmentChinese Art
ClassificationsSculpture
On View
On view
LocationGallery 16
More Information

Tang Tiles

These tiles came from the facade of the Golden Pagoda at Xiuding temple, located twenty-five miles from Anyang in Henan province. This Buddhist temple was originally built in the early sixth century. It was destroyed during the anti-Buddhist persecution of 576, but was reestablished during the Sui dynasty (581–618) to promote belief in Maitreya, the buddha of the future. More than 3,775 square and diamond-shaped tiles were assembled to decorate the facade of the stupa with Buddhist icons and Indian motifs, with some tiles bearing braided-cord patterns that clearly allude to textiles. The stupa today has the appearance of a Central Asian tent that was propped up by four poles and embellished with exotic textiles.