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Song Dynasty stone-carved peacock
Updated: Mar 14, 2023
govt.chinadaily.com.cn
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This stone peacock, dating back to the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127), is carved from a single piece of stone. Sculpturing and relief carving techniques were used to depict the peacock’s feathers, eyes, short beak and legs. Its two claws are painted vermilion red and connected to a rectangular base alongside its drooping tail feathers.
Excavated from the tomb of the Fan family in Jintangzhai of Fangcheng county, Nanyang, Henan province, in 1971, the stone peacock provides clues for the research on traditional pattern designs of stone carving. It is a treasure in the permanent collection of the Henan Museum.
