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Six Dynasties Collection

The Six Dynasties period, also known as the Southern Dynasties, was a time of great cultural and artistic development in ancient China

Background imageSix Dynasties Collection: LIU BEI (161-223). Also known as Xuande

LIU BEI (161-223). Also known as Xuande. Shu Han emperor of China, 221-223. Detail of a painted silk scroll, c650, attributed to Yen Li Pen

Background imageSix Dynasties Collection: Monk, between 550 and 577. Creator: Unknown

Monk, between 550 and 577. Creator: Unknown
Monk, between 550 and 577

Background imageSix Dynasties Collection: Funerary Sculpture of an Ox, between 386 and 534. Creator: Unknown

Funerary Sculpture of an Ox, between 386 and 534. Creator: Unknown
Funerary Sculpture of an Ox, between 386 and 534

Background imageSix Dynasties Collection: Funerary Sculpture of a Pair of Goats, between 386 and 534. Creator: Unknown

Funerary Sculpture of a Pair of Goats, between 386 and 534. Creator: Unknown
Funerary Sculpture of a Pair of Goats, between 386 and 534

Background imageSix Dynasties Collection: Buddha (Fotuo), 560. Creator: Unknown

Buddha (Fotuo), 560. Creator: Unknown
Buddha (Fotuo), 560

Background imageSix Dynasties Collection: Funerary Sculpture of a Pair of Military Officials (image 2 of 2), between c.500 and c.534

Funerary Sculpture of a Pair of Military Officials (image 2 of 2), between c.500 and c.534. Creator: Unknown
Funerary Sculpture of a Pair of Military Officials (image 2 of 2), between c.500 and c.534

Background imageSix Dynasties Collection: Funerary Sculpture of a Pair of Military Officials (image 1 of 2), between c.500 and c.534

Funerary Sculpture of a Pair of Military Officials (image 1 of 2), between c.500 and c.534. Creator: Unknown
Funerary Sculpture of a Pair of Military Officials (image 1 of 2), between c.500 and c.534

Background imageSix Dynasties Collection: Funerary Sculpture of a Female Equestrian Drummer (image 2 of 2), between c.500 and c.534

Funerary Sculpture of a Female Equestrian Drummer (image 2 of 2), between c.500 and c.534. Creator: Unknown
Funerary Sculpture of a Female Equestrian Drummer (image 2 of 2), between c.500 and c.534

Background imageSix Dynasties Collection: Funerary Sculpture of a Female Equestrian Drummer (image 1 of 2), between c.500 and c.534

Funerary Sculpture of a Female Equestrian Drummer (image 1 of 2), between c.500 and c.534. Creator: Unknown
Funerary Sculpture of a Female Equestrian Drummer (image 1 of 2), between c.500 and c.534

Background imageSix Dynasties Collection: Maitreya (Mile), the Buddha of the Future, between 386 and 470. Creator: Unknown

Maitreya (Mile), the Buddha of the Future, between 386 and 470. Creator: Unknown
Maitreya (Mile), the Buddha of the Future, between 386 and 470

Background imageSix Dynasties Collection: Horse Head, between 317 and 581. Creator: Unknown

Horse Head, between 317 and 581. Creator: Unknown
Horse Head, between 317 and 581

Background imageSix Dynasties Collection: Fitting (Shi) in the Form of a Mask, between 317 and 581. Creator: Unknown

Fitting (Shi) in the Form of a Mask, between 317 and 581. Creator: Unknown
Fitting (Shi) in the Form of a Mask, between 317 and 581

Background imageSix Dynasties Collection: Fitting (Shi) in the Form of a Chimera (Bixie), between 317 and 581. Creator: Unknown

Fitting (Shi) in the Form of a Chimera (Bixie), between 317 and 581. Creator: Unknown
Fitting (Shi) in the Form of a Chimera (Bixie), between 317 and 581

Background imageSix Dynasties Collection: Crouching Water Buffalo, between 317 and 581. Creator: Unknown

Crouching Water Buffalo, between 317 and 581. Creator: Unknown
Crouching Water Buffalo, between 317 and 581

Background imageSix Dynasties Collection: Maitreya (Mile), the Buddha of the Future (image 2 of 2), between c.500 and c.534. Creator: Unknown

Maitreya (Mile), the Buddha of the Future (image 2 of 2), between c.500 and c.534. Creator: Unknown
Maitreya (Mile), the Buddha of the Future (image 2 of 2), between c.500 and c.534

Background imageSix Dynasties Collection: Probably Maitreya (Mile), the Buddha of the Future, between 550 and 577. Creator: Unknown

Probably Maitreya (Mile), the Buddha of the Future, between 550 and 577. Creator: Unknown
Probably Maitreya (Mile), the Buddha of the Future, between 550 and 577

Background imageSix Dynasties Collection: Jar with Six Square Loop Handles, Six dynasties period / Southern dynasties

Jar with Six Square Loop Handles, Six dynasties period / Southern dynasties
Jar with Six Square Loop Handles, Six dynasties period (220-589) / Southern dynasties (420-589), second half of 5th century

Background imageSix Dynasties Collection: Bodhisattva, Northern Wei dynasty (386-534), dated 524. Creator: Unknown

Bodhisattva, Northern Wei dynasty (386-534), dated 524. Creator: Unknown
Bodhisattva, Northern Wei dynasty (386-534), dated 524

Background imageSix Dynasties Collection: Jar with Square Handles, Six Dynasties period, Southern dynasties, c. 450 / 500 A. D

Jar with Square Handles, Six Dynasties period, Southern dynasties, c. 450 / 500 A. D
Jar with Square Handles, Six Dynasties period, Southern dynasties, c. 450/500 A.D

Background imageSix Dynasties Collection: Bowl, Six dynasties (220-589) or Tang dynasty (618-907), c. 6th / 7th century

Bowl, Six dynasties (220-589) or Tang dynasty (618-907), c. 6th / 7th century
Bowl, Six dynasties (220-589) or Tang dynasty (618-907), c. 6th/7th century

Background imageSix Dynasties Collection: Military Official with Long Sword, Northern Wei dynasty (386-535), c. 500 / 525

Military Official with Long Sword, Northern Wei dynasty (386-535), c. 500 / 525
Military Official with Long Sword, Northern Wei dynasty (386-535), c. 500/525

Background imageSix Dynasties Collection: Panels from a Funerary Couch (Guanchuang), Northern Wei dynasty (386-535); c. 525

Panels from a Funerary Couch (Guanchuang), Northern Wei dynasty (386-535); c. 525

Background imageSix Dynasties Collection: Caparisoned Horse, Northern Wei dynasty (386-535), early 6th century. Creator: Unknown

Caparisoned Horse, Northern Wei dynasty (386-535), early 6th century. Creator: Unknown
Caparisoned Horse, Northern Wei dynasty (386-535), early 6th century

Background imageSix Dynasties Collection: Six Zodiac Figures, Wei dynasty (386-550). Creator: Unknown

Six Zodiac Figures, Wei dynasty (386-550). Creator: Unknown
Six Zodiac Figures, Wei dynasty (386-550)

Background imageSix Dynasties Collection: Buddhist Votive Stele, Western Wei dynasty (A. D. 535-557), dated A. D. 551

Buddhist Votive Stele, Western Wei dynasty (A. D. 535-557), dated A. D. 551
Buddhist Votive Stele, Western Wei dynasty (A.D. 535-557), dated A.D. 551

Background imageSix Dynasties Collection: Seated Official, Northern Wei dynasty (386-535), c. 5th century with later restoration

Seated Official, Northern Wei dynasty (386-535), c. 5th century with later restoration

Background imageSix Dynasties Collection: Guanyin (Avalokiteshvara) Standing before Flaming Aureole and Holding a Water

Guanyin (Avalokiteshvara) Standing before Flaming Aureole and Holding a Water Bottle, Eastern or Western Wei dynasty, c. mid-5th century (rededicated 594)

Background imageSix Dynasties Collection: Double lintel: decorated with floral and other designs... Period of Division, 386-535

Double lintel: decorated with floral and other designs... Period of Division, 386-535
Double lintel: decorated with floral and other designs in low relief and incised work, Period of Division, 386-535

Background imageSix Dynasties Collection: Buddhist stele, Period of Division, ca. 520s. Creator: Unknown

Buddhist stele, Period of Division, ca. 520s. Creator: Unknown
Buddhist stele, Period of Division, ca. 520s

Background imageSix Dynasties Collection: Seated Buddhas, bodisattva (Samantabhadra) with elephant... Period of Division, 386-535

Seated Buddhas, bodisattva (Samantabhadra) with elephant... Period of Division, 386-535
Seated Buddhas, bodisattva (Samantabhadra) with elephant, and other figures, Period of Division, 386-535

Background imageSix Dynasties Collection: Seated Buddha with figures, Period of Division, possibly 386-535. Creator: Unknown

Seated Buddha with figures, Period of Division, possibly 386-535. Creator: Unknown
Seated Buddha with figures, Period of Division, possibly 386-535

Background imageSix Dynasties Collection: Buddha (fragment), Period of Division, possibly 386-535. Creator: Unknown

Buddha (fragment), Period of Division, possibly 386-535. Creator: Unknown
Buddha (fragment), Period of Division, possibly 386-535

Background imageSix Dynasties Collection: Seated Buddha (Shakyamuni) with standing monks and bodhisattvas

Seated Buddha (Shakyamuni) with standing monks and bodhisattvas (obverse) and donors (reverse), Period of Division, dated 535

Background imageSix Dynasties Collection: Seated Buddha with bodhisattvas (obverse); Seated Buddha

Seated Buddha with bodhisattvas (obverse); Seated Buddha and Prabhutaratna (reverse), Period of Division, dated 548 CE

Background imageSix Dynasties Collection: Seated Buddha (fragment), Period of Division, 534-555. Creator: Unknown

Seated Buddha (fragment), Period of Division, 534-555. Creator: Unknown
Seated Buddha (fragment), Period of Division, 534-555

Background imageSix Dynasties Collection: Standing Maitreya Buddha, Period of Division, 539. Creator: Unknown

Standing Maitreya Buddha, Period of Division, 539. Creator: Unknown
Standing Maitreya Buddha, Period of Division, 539

Background imageSix Dynasties Collection: Seated Shijia Buddha (Shakyamuni), Period of Division or modern, Dated 549 CE, or poss

Seated Shijia Buddha (Shakyamuni), Period of Division or modern, Dated 549 CE, or possibly modern

Background imageSix Dynasties Collection: Four-sided miniature stele, Possibly Western Wei dynasty, ca. 550. Creator: Unknown

Four-sided miniature stele, Possibly Western Wei dynasty, ca. 550. Creator: Unknown
Four-sided miniature stele, Possibly Western Wei dynasty, ca. 550

Background imageSix Dynasties Collection: Standing Buddha, Period of Division, possibly 555. Creator: Unknown

Standing Buddha, Period of Division, possibly 555. Creator: Unknown
Standing Buddha, Period of Division, possibly 555

Background imageSix Dynasties Collection: Standing Buddha (fragment), Period of Division, Dated 538 CE. Creator: Unknown

Standing Buddha (fragment), Period of Division, Dated 538 CE. Creator: Unknown
Standing Buddha (fragment), Period of Division, Dated 538 CE

Background imageSix Dynasties Collection: Seated Buddha with bodhisattvas, lions, and figures, Period of Division, possibly 534-557

Seated Buddha with bodhisattvas, lions, and figures, Period of Division, possibly 534-557

Background imageSix Dynasties Collection: Statuette: Avalokiteshvara (Kuan yin), Period of Division, 520. Creator: Unknown

Statuette: Avalokiteshvara (Kuan yin), Period of Division, 520. Creator: Unknown
Statuette: Avalokiteshvara (Kuan yin), Period of Division, 520

Background imageSix Dynasties Collection: Square fragment: showing Buddhist procession, Northern Wei dynasty, early 6th century

Square fragment: showing Buddhist procession, Northern Wei dynasty, early 6th century

Background imageSix Dynasties Collection: Buddhas of the Past and Present, Northern Wei dynasty, ca. 475-534 C. E

Buddhas of the Past and Present, Northern Wei dynasty, ca. 475-534 C. E

Background imageSix Dynasties Collection: Seated Buddha (Shakyamuni) with standing bodhisattvas, Period of Division, Dated 549 CE

Seated Buddha (Shakyamuni) with standing bodhisattvas, Period of Division, Dated 549 CE

Background imageSix Dynasties Collection: Standing bodhisattva, Period of Division, 550-577. Creator: Unknown

Standing bodhisattva, Period of Division, 550-577. Creator: Unknown
Standing bodhisattva, Period of Division, 550-577

Background imageSix Dynasties Collection: Buddhist stele, Northern Wei dynasty, dated 511. Creator: Unknown

Buddhist stele, Northern Wei dynasty, dated 511. Creator: Unknown
Buddhist stele, Northern Wei dynasty, dated 511

Background imageSix Dynasties Collection: Hu with chickens head decor, Eastern Jin, 317-420 (glazed ware)

Hu with chickens head decor, Eastern Jin, 317-420 (glazed ware)
AME119017 Hu with chickens head decor, Eastern Jin, 317-420 (glazed ware) by Chinese School; height:17.8 cm; Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford




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The Six Dynasties period, also known as the Southern Dynasties, was a time of great cultural and artistic development in ancient China. One prominent figure during this era was Liu Bei, also known as Xuande. His reign from 161 to 223 left a lasting impact on Chinese history. Among the remarkable artifacts from this period is a jar with six square loop handles. This exquisite piece showcases the intricate craftsmanship that flourished during the Six Dynasties period. Another masterpiece is the Bodhisattva statue from the Northern Wei dynasty, dated 524. Created by an unknown artist, it exemplifies the religious devotion and spiritual beliefs prevalent at that time. A jar with square handles dating back to around 450-500 A. D reflects both innovation and tradition in its design. It serves as a testament to the artistic evolution that occurred throughout these dynastic periods. A bowl from either the Six Dynasties or Tang dynasty represents continuity in ceramic production techniques while displaying unique decorative patterns characteristic of its time. The Military Official sculpture from Northern Wei dynasty portrays strength and valor through its depiction of a warrior wielding a long sword. This artwork captures not only military prowess but also societal values during this era. Panels from a funerary couch provide insights into burial customs and beliefs surrounding death in ancient China. These intricately carved pieces were created during Northern Wei dynasty around 525 AD. An early sixth-century Caparisoned Horse sculpture demonstrates exceptional skill in capturing movement and gracefulness through stone carving techniques employed by anonymous artisans of that time. Six Zodiac Figures crafted during Wei dynasty showcase Chinese fascination with astrology and celestial symbolism prevalent throughout various dynastic periods. A Buddhist Votive Stele dating back to Western Wei Dynasty (535-557) reveals religious devotion towards Buddhism within Chinese society at that time, serving as an important historical artifact for understanding religious practices then Seated Official statue originating from Northern Wei Dynasty depicts an esteemed government official, reflecting the importance of bureaucracy and governance during this period.