Six Zodiac Figures
Wei dynasty (386–550)
Medium
Earthenware with traces of slip
Dimensions
A (monkey): 19.1 × 5.6 × 4.5 cm (7 1/2 × 2 3/16 × 1 3/4 in.) B (sheep): 19.0 × 5.7 × 4.8 cm (7 1/2 × 2 1/4 × 1 7/8 in.) C (dragon): 20.5 × 5.4 × 6.2 cm (8 1/16 × 2 1/8 × 2 7/16 in.) D (snake): 19.4 × 5.7 × 5.0 cm (7 5/8 × 2 1/4 × 2 in.) E (horse): 18.5 × 5.7 × 5.7 cm (7 1/4 × 2 1/4 × 2 1/4 in.) F (rat or rabbit): 19.7 × 5.5 × 4.9 cm (7 3/4 × 2 3/16 × 1 15/16 in.)
Classification
ceramics
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
60935
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...