Fragment of a Banner with Female Donors

Artist: Unknown

9th–10th century

Asian Art

Not on view

The current shape of this fragment suggests that it was once part of a long, narrow banner used in processions and other rituals, and to decorate the interior of temples. However, the two women painted on each side, both of which are holding offerings, would presumably have been placed either at the bottom of such a banner or to one side of an iconic central figure. It seems likely, therefore, that this fragment was once part of a larger painting and not a banner, particularly since cloth backings are common in Central Asian religious paintings.

Medium

Sized cotton painted with ink and color

Dimensions

without mounting: 9 9/16 × 8 1/8 in. (24.3 × 20.6 cm)

Credit Line

Hobart and Edward Small Moore Memorial Collection, Gift of Mrs. William H. Moore

Accession Number

1937.5576

Culture

Chinese, Xinjiang Uyghur, Qoco

Period

Qoco kingdom (855/56–14th century)

Classification

Paintings

Disclaimer

Note: This electronic record was created from historic documentation that does not necessarily reflect the Yale University Art Gallery’s complete or current knowledge about the object. Review and updating of records is ongoing.

Provenance
Excavated from a temple at Qoco (Gaochang); was considered part of von Le Coq's finds at Bezeklilk; The Berlin Museum; purchased by Mrs. William H. Moore (1858–1955), New York; Yale University Art Gallery, New Haven, Conn.
Bibliography
  • "An Overview of North American Collections," International Dunhuang Province Newsletter 49/50 (Summer 2017), fig. 1
  • Susan B. Matheson, Art for Yale: A History of the Yale University Art Gallery (New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Art Gallery, 2001), 78, 81, fig. 68
  • Elise K. Kenney, ed., Handbook of the Collections: Yale University Art Gallery (New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Art Gallery, 1992), 296, ill
  • George J. Lee, Selected Far Eastern Art in the Yale University Art Gallery (New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Press, 1970), 42–43, no. 64, ill
  • Albert von Grunwedel, Bericht u¨ber archa¨ologische arbeiten in Idikutschari und umgebung im winter 1902-1903 (Mu¨nchen: K. B. Akademie der Wissenschaften, 1906), pl.XVII, fig. 2a-b
Object copyright
No Copyright - United States
Additional information

Object/Work type

banners, figures (representations), fragment

Technical metadata and APIs

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