Page 332 - The Golden Age of Chinese Archaeology: Celebrated Discoveries from the People’s Republic of China

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Painted lacquer coffin consistent, it seems that three coffins were the pre-
serve of feudal lords or high ministers (qing). How-
Height 45 (18 'A), width 184 (72), depth 45 (18 'A)
ever, the presence of three coffins in this tomb of a
Middle Warring States Period, c. second half of
fourth century BCE (before 316) lower-ranking minister (zuoyin) suggests that these
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strictly observed
in Chu.
regulations
were not
From Baoshan, Jingmen, Hubei Province
The bottom, sides, and end-panels of the coffin
Jingzhou Prefecture Museum, Hubei Province are each made from single planks, joined by swallow-
tailed mortises and tenons; the joints are sealed with
This coffin is the innermost of three nested coffins lacquer. Mask-and-ring bronze handles, originally
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from the central chamber of the tomb. A number gilded, are attached to the sides, the end-panels,
of ancient texts indicate that sumptuary laws gov- and the lid of the coffin. The coffin was originally
erned the number of coffins permitted to each rank wrapped in a textile, but this had largely decomposed
of the aristocracy. Although the accounts are not when the tomb was opened. Silk gauze (sha) was

331 | TOM B 2 AT B A O S H A N , J I N G M E N