0120 - Glazed pottery model of a square pagoda. Found at the site of the Fa...Front

Glazed pottery model of a square pagoda. Found at the site of the Fa Hai Monastery in the city of Mihsien in Honan Province, this seven-storeyed square pagoda with closely-set eaves is decorated with a profusion of bird, animal and lotus designs. The gates of the pagoda are flanked by relief figures of guardian-kings and dvarapalas. At the centre of the ground floor hall is a square pedestal with a large Buddha facing the front gate and three smaller ones facing the other gates. A framed inscription over the front gate reads: "Donated by Ch'iu Hsun on the twentieth day of the fourth month in the second year of Hsien P'ing" (A.D. 999). The brilliance of the glaze colours is proof of the high level attained by the Northern Sung potters in making glazed pottery. Sung Dynasty (A.D. 960-1279). H. 98.5 cm. Unearthed in 1966 at Mihsien, Honan Province.