Liubo is a military battle game whose rules are long lost. It first appeared in China around the 17th century BC and became extremely popular in the Han dynasty. As exhibited here, the game was played by two people sitting on the floor. They used dice, game pieces, counter sticks, and a marked board. Here the facial features and hand gestures of the players depict a dramatic moment of the game.
该博物馆里收藏的唐三彩人物彩绘俑:或举止文雅,或威武霸气。
三彩文官立像 - Standing on rocky bases, these two figures wear the standard costume of Tang-dynasty court officials: a long, wide-sleeved tunic over a long gown and elaborate headgear. Both figures are decorated with splashed multicolor glaze (sancai), resulting primarily in brown, green, and blue hues with various gradations. Archaeological finds from tombs suggest that sancai-glazed figurines were most likely made for funeral purposes.
彩繪天王立像 - This tomb guardian has his arm raised (originally he held a weapon) as he tramples a muscular demon. He is dressed in a Tang-dynasty military outfit, which includes a helmet shaped as a phoenix and dragon-head epaulets. His facial expression and posture suggest he is the King of the South. Some of the figure’s original painted decoration remains.