西漢 四神紋瓦當（白虎/朱雀）|Roof Tile End

Art Historical Context

This exquisite earthenware roof tile end, known as a *wading* (瓦當), hails from China's Western Han dynasty (206.C.–A.D. 9), a golden age of imperial expansion and cultural flourishing. Measuring just 7¼ inches in diameter, these circular tiles adorned the eaves of grand palaces, temples, and, serving both practical and protective functions. Produced through molding techniques in kilns, they exemplify Han ceramic artistry, where everyday architecture blended with cosmology. The design features motifs from the *Four Gods* (*Si Shen*), ancient guardians of the cardinal directions: here, likely t...