3 Artifacts - Each are a meta-critique of crypto-art and its value.
Made with Blender, Adobe Substance Painter & DaVinci Resolve
A 9th Century Gosha Vase
Comments: This vase is an early example of Gosha; an early transfer printing technique pioneered by the Sarhå. This technique was performed by painting ink onto hemp-based cloth and then pressing the cloth onto the pottery. The imagery displayed on this vase showcases scenes of hunting, feasting, and war. The shape of this vase is known as areçae, it is a reference to the bulb of a palm tree. This vase was likely used as décor and as a symbol of wealth as they were very time-consuming to produce.
Description: A 9th Century Gosha vase (3D photoscan)
Object: vase
Features: Shape; Areçae
Materials: porcelain
Techniques: Gosha
Dimensions: Height; 45.3 cm, Width; 34.1 cm Diameter; 26.2 cm
Origins: Sarhå
Subjects: hunting, feast, animals
Production date: Between 831-846 AD
Production place: Lunlhoto, Sarhå
Cultures/Period: 9th Century Central Sarhā
Acquisition date: 1671
Department: Pottery & Ceramics
Owned by: State
Current Location: MOTO Museum, London
Object: vase
Features: Shape; Areçae
Materials: porcelain
Techniques: Gosha
Dimensions: Height; 45.3 cm, Width; 34.1 cm Diameter; 26.2 cm
Origins: Sarhå
Subjects: hunting, feast, animals
Production date: Between 831-846 AD
Production place: Lunlhoto, Sarhå
Cultures/Period: 9th Century Central Sarhā
Acquisition date: 1671
Department: Pottery & Ceramics
Owned by: State
Current Location: MOTO Museum, London
A 19th Century Karichi'i Mask
Comments: Karichi’i are mythological creatures said to inhabit the forests of Eastern Chakowai. They are said to hibernate all year round except winter, during which, they wander the forests searching for people to feed on. There are many stories within the Chakowaian culture that warn people of the danger of Karichi’I, and this mask would have been used as a prop to depict Karichi’i in theatrical performances of these stories.This mask clearly displays the Karichi’is’ characteristic jaundiced yellow skin, red eyes, and sharp horns and teeth.
Description: A 19th Century Karichi'i Mask (3D photoscan)
Object: mask
Features:
Materials: porcelain
Techniques: moulded, painted
Dimensions: Height; 33.2 cm, Width; 23.1 cm
Origins: Chakowai
Subjects: Karichi’i (mythological figure)
Production date: Early 18th Century
Production place: Eastern Chakowai
Cultures/Period: 19th Century Chakowaian
Acquisition date: 1953
Department: Pottery & Ceramics
Owned by: State
Current Location: MOTO Museum, London
Object: mask
Features:
Materials: porcelain
Techniques: moulded, painted
Dimensions: Height; 33.2 cm, Width; 23.1 cm
Origins: Chakowai
Subjects: Karichi’i (mythological figure)
Production date: Early 18th Century
Production place: Eastern Chakowai
Cultures/Period: 19th Century Chakowaian
Acquisition date: 1953
Department: Pottery & Ceramics
Owned by: State
Current Location: MOTO Museum, London
A Ming Dynasty Cat Statue
Comments: This statue was held in Xiangji temple likely to act as a guardian of the agriculture of the surrounding area. Cats were revered in ancient China due to their ability to ward off pests that killed crops. As a result, domestic cats were commonly owned in agricultural areas like Shaanxi province. The gold gilding of the statue reflects the ancient Chinese belief that golden coloured cats brought good luck and prosperity to their owners. This statue was recovered from the ruins of Xiangji temple after it was destroyed during the Taiping Rebellion of the Qing dynasty.
Description: A Ming Dynasty Cat Statue (3D photoscan)
Object: statue
Features: temple/guardian statue
Materials: alloy, alloy gilt,
Techniques: metal casting, gilding
Dimensions: Height; 28.3, Width; 40.8 cm
Subjects: domestic cat
Origins: Xiangji temple, Shaanxi, China
Production date: Between 1421-1434 AD
Production place: Shaanxi (Province), China
Cultures/Period: northwestern Ming Dynasty
Acquisition date: 1887
Department: East Asia
Owned by: State
Current Location: MOTO Museum, London
Object: statue
Features: temple/guardian statue
Materials: alloy, alloy gilt,
Techniques: metal casting, gilding
Dimensions: Height; 28.3, Width; 40.8 cm
Subjects: domestic cat
Origins: Xiangji temple, Shaanxi, China
Production date: Between 1421-1434 AD
Production place: Shaanxi (Province), China
Cultures/Period: northwestern Ming Dynasty
Acquisition date: 1887
Department: East Asia
Owned by: State
Current Location: MOTO Museum, London