ASIATICA: HIMALAYA, CHINA 8. DEZEMBER 2026

The iconographic program of the present portal assembly directly inherits and transforms an ancient funerary tradition dating back to the Han dynasty (206 BC–220 AD). While Han relief tiles (huaxi­ angzhuan) originally depicted the Daoist deity Xiwangmu (Queen Mother of the West) flanked by hybrid, bird-bodied sun and moon spirits (yuren), this imagery evolved significantly through the Northern Dynasties and reached its mature architectural expres­ sion during the Liao (907–1125) and Jin (1115–1234) periods. By the Liao/Jin era, these winged celestial beings had transformed into Buddhist/Daoist flying apsaras (feitian) framing a central deity or immortalized tomb owner, rendered in high modular relief as part of a complete architectural entrance (mumen). For related Han dynasty prototypes featuring Xiwangmu and winged deities, see the exhibition catalogue: Das alte China - Menschen und Götter im Reich der Mitte 5000 v. Chr.–220 n. Chr., Kulturstiftung Ruhr Essen, Villa Hügel, 2. Juni – 5. November 1995, Kat.-Nr. 105, S. 408–411. CHF 5 000 / 7 000 (€ 5 380 / 7 530) 164