Yao Qian Shu (Money Tree)
Eastern Han Dynasty (A.D. 25–220)
Patinated bronze and green glazed stoneware
138 x 49 cm (54 5/16 x 19 5/16 in.)
Founders Society Purchase, gift of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Fisher,
by exchange
1996.29
In the Later Han Dynasty tombs of western China,
money was made to grow on trees insuring that the departed's
needs
would be met
in the heavenly realm. These Money Trees are made of two principal
sections: a sculptural pottery base and a bronze tree, whose
branches are densely decorated with coin motifs and mythological
images
of Xiwangmu (Queen Mother of the Western Paradise) and other
Daoist immortals. The philosophy of Daoism became a religion
during the
Han Dynasty. It is based on the principles of movement between
male (yin) and female forces (yang) in all natural processes.
Because of the extraordinarily fine, open-work
bronze designs, very few Money Trees have survived. This tree is
a composite of at least five Eastern Han trees, basically differentiated
by tiers. On some trees the branches are all quite similar with
Xiwangmu presiding over inhabitants of the Western Paradise from
her tiger of the west and dragon of the east throne. More unusual
and beautiful branches feature creatures such as the sun bird with
a dancing moon toad.
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