Magnificent Stone Carvings from the Han Dynasty
The Tomb of Huo Qubing and Carved Stone Animals from the Eastern Han Dynasty
The Han Dynasty inherited a system from the Qin Dynasty. The emperors of the Western Han Dynasty adopted the custom of using terra-cotta warriors and horses as burial objects. But the terra-cotta figures are not as splendid and mighty as the Qin terra-cotta figures. Figures from the Han Dynasty are full of life interests. They reflect the charm of the culture of the Chu Kingdom, romantic and humorous with deep cultural features. The most distinct sculpture of the Han Dynasty are the wellknown stone carvings from the tomb of Huo Qubing. These stone carvings are of great importance.
The carvers carved stones based on the original shape of the stones by using the skills of relief, line carving and circular carving. Thus the stone carvings, like nature itself, have a sense of strength. The caving skills reflect the courage of the young general and the depth of the Han culture.
Large stone carvings
Sculptural art from the Han Dynasty achieved new heights due to the development of palace and mausoleum construction, especially in the development of large stone carvings.
The earliest a pair of large stone carvings in China are the stone statues of Spinning Damsel and the Herd Boy in Shaanxi Province. The statues are about 3 miles apart from east to west. According to the Biography of Emperor Wudi, the statues were made in the third year of Emperor Wudi’s reign (120 BC).
The statues of Spinning Damsel and the Herd Boy were set on the eastern and western banks of Kunming Pond, so the statues are also called Stone Carvings at Kunming Pond. The statue of the Herd Boy is 258cm tall with his right hand on the chest, left hand close to his stomach, kneeling down. The statue of Spinning Damsel is 228cm tall with her hands in her sleeves.
This group of statues is based on the Chinese ancient legend of the Spinning Damsel and the Herd Boy. They show the classical simple style of stone carvings during the Han Dynasty. They are representative of early Chinese garden sculptures. The style of the Kunming Pond, and the carved tomb of Huo Qubing show the development of sculpture during the Han Dynasty.
Pottery figures from the Han Dynasty indicate the strong cultural features and the romanticism of Chu culture as well as the interests of people at the time. However, the beginning period of the Western Han Dynasty was still an early stage in Chinese traditional culture. Against this background, the works at Kunming Pond and the tomb of Huo Qubing display the characteristics of the culture in the Han Dynasty and reflect the profundity of the philosophy of the time.
The tomb of Huo Qubing
The tomb of Huo Qubing is known for two factors. The first is Huo Qubing’s brilliant military success during the Han Dynasty. The second is the artistic achievement in the tomb.
Huo Qubing (140–117 BC) was an outstanding and brave general during the Western Han Dynasty. He led his troops to repulse numerous incursions by the Xiongnu and brought peace and prosperity to society. He worked as commandant when he was 18 years old and died at the early age of 24 due to plague. During this period, he defeated multiple incursions by the Xiongnu. His most famous victory took place at Qilian Mountain. He defeated the troops of Xiongnu that had long occupied northern China, which not only relieved the troubles in the northwest, but also opened the Hexi Corridor leading to ancient Xiyu (western regions).
Emperor Wudi (156–87 BC) and the entire nation felt very sad after the death of this war hero, so the Emperor gave orders to hold a ceremonial funeral for Huo Qubing and built a spacious tomb for him just beside his own.
In ancient China, being buried in the imperial mausoleum was a great honor. According to historical records, more than 20 tombs were found in the mausoleum of Emperor Wudi, all great statesmen, famous warriors, concubines and relatives of the emperor. The building of the tomb of Huo Qubing showed the emperor valued this young general.
On the mound of the tomb, the muck pile accumulated by the natural stone symbolizes the Qilian Mountain, to commemorate Huo Qubing’s outstanding achievements in that place. These stone carvings include the Horse Stepping on a Xiongnu Soldier, A Kneeling Horse, A Galloping Horse, A Yield Tiger, A Lying Elephant, Stone Fish, A Stone Frog, Bull, A Giant Fights A Bear, A Monster Bites Sheep and others. These stone carvings scattered in front of the tomb of Huo Qubing became part of the natural environment. The stone carvings represent the scene of Qilian Mountain and the fierce battle at the time, as well as the scene after the victory of the battle of Qilianshan.
Horse Stepping on a Xiongnu Soldier
The stone carvings are eye-catching for their artistic expression. These stone carvings are not exquisitely carved but are made by with crude rock and little carving. They look very powerful. The horses, carved in three different postures—stepping, lying and galloping—remind people of the valiant general and his warriors.
