{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O130751"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O130751/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006BE6936/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006BE6936/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2006BE6936","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2007BM8339","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2007BM8343","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2007BM8347","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2007BM8349","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2007BM8351","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2014HD5575","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2014HD5576","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2014HD5578","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2014HD5583","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O130751/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O130751","accessionNumber":"A.2-1913","objectType":"Figure","titles":[{"title":"Foreign Envoy from an Imperial Tomb","type":"generic title"}],"summaryDescription":"Along with the figure to the right, this larger-than-life sculpture once formed part of a Spirit Way, with two rows of facing figures and animals leading to a tomb. When the figures arrived at the V&A they were described as Korean, since Korean noblemen wore similar wide-brimmed horsehair hats. However, the combination of Korean headwear with Chinese robes is not known elsewhere, so instead the official probably represents a generic foreign envoy. He is presenting a scroll, possibly with the text of an imperial edict.","physicalDescription":"A large 3-dimensional standing figure carved in marble wearing a wide-brimmed hat and presenting a scroll. The figure has a long moustache and beard, and is wearing a long robe decorated in low relief with cloud designs, diamond-shaped patterns and, on the chest, cherry trees. It has an integral base decorated with a floral design.","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Unknown","id":"A1848"},"association":{"text":"","id":""},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"marble","id":"AAT11443"}],"techniques":[{"text":"carving","id":"AAT53149"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"marble, carved","categories":[{"text":"Sculpture","id":"THES48896"}],"styles":[{"text":"Ming","id":"AAT18438"}],"collectionCode":{"text":"EAS","id":"THES48596"},"images":["2006BE6936","2007BM8339","2007BM8343","2007BM8347","2007BM8349","2007BM8351","2014HD5575","2014HD5576","2014HD5578","2014HD5583"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"47E (VA)","id":"THES49794"},"free":"","case":"PL","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Figure","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"China","id":"x29398"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":"once thought to be Korea. Possibly North China?"}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"1400 to 1600","earliest":"1400-01-01","latest":"1600-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[{"object":{"text":"A.1-1913","id":"O130746"},"association":"Set"}],"creditLine":"Given by Art Fund","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Height","value":"215","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Width","value":"75","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Depth","value":"75","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"Footprint: 77 x 58.5 cm","marksAndInscriptions":[],"objectHistory":"This object was once thought to be Korean.","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"Chinese, Sculpture, Official from an imperial tomb, Ming dynasty (1400 to 1600), Marble","bibliographicReferences":[],"production":"Reason For Production: Private","productionType":{"text":"Unique","id":"THES48864"},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[{"text":"scroll","id":"AAT28629"},{"text":"使者","id":"CIT283070"},{"text":"書卷","id":"CIT281127"},{"text":"冠","id":"CIT281574"},{"text":"鬚 (人體面部)","id":"CIT288971"},{"text":"捧","id":"CIT288168"},{"text":"袍","id":"CIT289580"},{"text":"腰巾","id":"CIT0292296"},{"text":"鞋","id":"CIT0288715"},{"text":"站立 (人體姿勢)","id":"CIT278931"},{"text":"雲紋","id":"CIT0292555"},{"text":"植物 (紋飾)","id":"CIT288655"}],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[{"text":"Official from a Chinese Tomb\r\n1400-1600 (Ming dynasty)\r\nNorth China\r\n\r\nLike the sculpture opposite, this imposing figure once formed part of a Spirit Way leading to a tomb of a prince or another member of the imperial clan. He is probably a foreign dignitary and is shown presenting a scroll, possibly with the text of an imperial edict. His robes are carefully carved to represent cloud-patterned silk and the square badge of rank on his back bears a scaly dragon. [56 words]\r\n\r\nMarble\r\nMuseum no. A.2-1913\r\nGiven by The Art Fund","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null}}],"partNumbers":["A.2-1913"],"accessionNumberNum":"2","accessionNumberPrefix":"A","accessionYear":1913,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":[],"recordModificationDate":"2025-11-14","recordCreationDate":"2007-01-10","availableToBook":false}}