Artwork Page for The Kill

Details / Information for The Kill

The Kill

300–100 BCE

China, Warring States period (475–221 BCE) to Western Han dynasty

(206 BCE–8 CE)
Medium
Painted clamshell
Measurements
Overall: 7.5 x 9 cm (2 15/16 x 3 9/16 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Harold T. Clark in memory of Flora L. Terry 1957.139
Public Domain
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Location
241A Arts of Ancient China
Print
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Did You Know?

The marine clam species to which this shell belongs is exclusive to the western Pacific Ocean near China, Japan, the Philippines, and the East Indies.

Description

The inside of this shell preserves the earliest, extant figure paintings in Chinese history.
A painted clamshell, a shallow object with a textured, off-white concave surface, depicts scenes in muted red, brown, and black. Near the top, two figures ride a horse-drawn chariot facing right. Below, two figures with medium skin tones flank a reddish animal sprawled on its back. At left, a figure stands with arms raised; at right, another runs toward the center. Tiny red animals are scattered along the faded rim.

The Kill

300–100 BCE

China, Warring States period (475–221 BCE) to Western Han dynasty (206 BCE–8 CE)

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