Money Tree, 1st-2nd century
Unknown artist, Chinaexpand_more
Bronze and green glazed earthenwareexpand_more
Gift of Ruth and Bruce Daytonexpand_more 2002.47a-rrr
On View in Gallery 201expand_more
Among the most intriguing objects recently discovered in the Eastern Han (25-220) tombs of Szechuan province are so-called "money trees." Typically made of a bronze trunk and branches set into a ceramic base, they are called "money trees" because the lower part of the lattice-like branches are decorated with coin-shaped designs that imitate actual coins of the Han period. The coinage represents the wealth and abundance necessary to nourish the spirit in the afterlife, and the tree symbolized renewable, on-going monetary sustenance and unending prosperity.
The top of the tree is surmounted by an elegant phoenix (feng huang) or bird of good omen, but perhaps the most interesting aspects are the tops of the branches, which are cast with lively scenes of ancient ritual. In the top center of the branches is Xi Wang mu, Queen Mother of the West, seated in a sort of canopied shrine and being entertained by various performers, flying horses, and other mythological animals. Xi Wang mu emerged during Han (206 BCE - 220 CE) as an important deity of rulership and self-cultivation. She was eventually incorporated into the Taoist pantheon and became a popular subject for sculpture, mirrors, and decorated textiles.
Explore
Audio
Details
- Title
- Money Tree
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- 2002.47a-rrr
- Curator Approved
This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
Does something look wrong with this image? Let us know
Zoom in on the left to the detail you'd like to save. Click 'Save detail' and wait until the image updates. Right click the image to 'save image as' or copy link, or click the image to open in a new tab.