Burial brick relief presents art performance from 800 years ago

Check out the fascinating entertainment of ancient Chinese people!

This set of brick reliefs depicts a band of seven male figures, all in standing position and performing dance and music. At the center is a dancer, flanked by six musicians playing various instruments: a waist drum, clapper (paiban), bili (a reed flute), and bamboo flute and drum, creating a harmonious ensemble.

These meticulously crafted and vivid brick reliefs were unearthed from a Jurchen Jin Dynasty (1115-1234) tomb in Xiangfen county, Linfen, Shanxi province. They provide valuable resources for research on accompaniment instruments used for zaju dramas in 10th-13th century China. Collection: Shanxi Museum.