Page 512 - The Golden Age of Chinese Archaeology: Celebrated Discoveries from the People’s Republic of China

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Painted marble relief of musicians such as this one in Wang Chuzhi's tomb appear
most commonly from the Late Tang to Early Song
Height 82 (31), width 136 (53)
period and present evidence of daily life among the
Later Liang Dynasty, tenth century CE (907 - 923)
aristocracy of the time. Most similar to the overall
From the Tomb of Wang Chuzhi at Xiyanchuan,
character of the paintings and reliefs in Wang
Quyang, Hebei Province
Chuzhi's tomb is the great narrative handscroll The
Hebei Provincial Cultural Relics Institute, Night Revels of Han Xizai in the Palace Museum in
Shijiazhuang Beijing, 1 which probably depicts the interior of a
princely mansion only twenty-five years or so after
This handsome painted marble relief was set into the death of Wang Chuzhi in 923 CE. There, as in
the west wall of the coffin chamber, matching the Wang's tomb, bands of musicians perform, servants
relief of attendants on the east wall. The two com- attend, and pictures decorate walls and furniture.
positions provide two essential elements in the Tombs like that of Wang Chuzhi were clearly
appropriate decor of a royal tomb of the Tang and intended to closely emulate the palaces in which
Song periods — music and servants. Judging from he had once lived, and music was obviously a vital
the prevalence of the musical performance theme element in the daily life of such palaces.
in tomb decorations, such references seem to have Wang Chuzhi's female orchestra features twelve
been a virtual requirement. Complete orchestras musicians, two tiny dancers, and what appears to

511 | TOMB OF WAN G CHUZH I AT X I Y A N C H U A N