Mural Tile
Unknown Artist
Medium
Terracotta
Dimensions
H. 15 1/2 in. (39.4 cm); W. 15 1/2 in. (39.4 cm); D. 2 1/8 in. (5.4 cm)
Classification
Ceramics
Culture & Period
China · Han dynasty (206 B.C.–A.D. 220)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1913
Accession Number
13.151.2
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite terracotta mural tile from Han dynasty (206 B.C.–A.D. 220) offers a glimpse into the artistic splendor of one of ancient China's most innovative eras. Measuring a perfect square at 15½ inches on each side, ceramic piece was likely part of a larger wall mural, a common feature in elite tombs and palaces. The Han period marked a golden age for terracotta craftsmanship, where artisans molded and fired clay to create durable, vividly detailed decorations that blurred the line between architecture and sculpture. Depicting animals—a motif highlighted in its classification—the tile re...