2016.33.A-B Tomb plaque marker on a tortoise base

This tomb marker consists of a central plaque with Chinese writing that describes the deceased as a forty-five-year-old woman who died in the early 4th century CE. Chinese grave markers often include the tortoise, like the one supporting the plaque here, and a dragon, which you can see forming the top of the sculpture. 

The tortoise and dragon are two of the four "spiritually endowed" directional deities. The other two deities are the phoenix and the unicorn. The tortoise, which is a symbol of the north and winter, was also important in Chinese Buddhist belief because it symbolized longevity. Many Buddhist temples keep resident tortoises; to feed one was a commendable act. Thus early Chinese beliefs passed into Buddhism. This example has a snake's head and a dragon's neck, indicating supernatural power. 

China (nation): TGN: 1000111

limestone (rock): AAT: 300011286

Western Jin (period): AAT: 300018399

Buddhism: AAT: 300073738

Chinese Buddhism: AAT: 300021992

Chinese: AAT: 300018322

deaths: AAT: 300151836

dragons (mythical beings): AAT: 300375726

funerary sculpture: AAT: 300184644

grave markers: AAT: 300391176

inscriptions: AAT: 300028702

serpents (snakes/Serpentes suborder): AAT: 300250870

Temples: AAT: 300007595

tombs: AAT: 300005926

tortoises (animals): AAT: 300250297

1960s-2015: Robert Ellsworth (1929-2014), New York City 

2015-2016: Throckmorton Fine Art, purchased at auction, "Living with Art," Christie's, New York, October 7, 2015, sale 3773, lot 365, as "A Chinese Carved Stone Large Stele on Tortoise-Form Base" 

2016: Dallas Museum of Art, Cecil and Ida Green Acquisition Fund, purchased from above. 

The main source for this provenance is the Art Loss Register report for China Tombstone 68888, dated March 26, 2016, copy in Dallas Museum of Art Collections Records object file. 

Apply to objects where number equals 2016.33.A-B