ROOF RIDGE DRAGON TILES

Dragon Pattern Glazed Tiles at the British Museum

The British Museum acquires a set of 20 glazed architectural tiles featuring dragon designs, traditionally used in ancient Chinese architecture. Each set is decorated with pairs of dragons in yellow and blue, interspersed with motifs of lotus and chrysanthemum flowers. The tiles are grouped by color and orientation, with specific codes assigned from head to tail of each dragon. Notably, each group displays variations in dragon depictions and craftsmanship details such as scales.

Historical Craftsmanship and Origin of Glazed Tiles

Glazed tiles, made with low-temperature lead glazes and primarily used in architectural decorations, have been utilized since the Han Dynasty. The use of these tiles expanded significantly over the centuries, especially evident during the Tang and subsequent dynasties. By the Yuan Dynasty, the glazing industry in Shanxi flourished, introducing diverse forms and colors, including a unique black glaze found only in this region.

Decorative Patterns and Chronological Context of the Tiles

Between the Yuan and Ming dynasties, glazed tiles featured a variety of decorative themes used in religious and cultural buildings. The tiles include intricate designs of dragons, mythical creatures, and floral patterns, demonstrating the artisans' exquisite skill. Notable buildings from various dynasties show similar stylistic elements, confirming the significant development and use of glazed tiles throughout Chinese architectural history.

Original Setting of the Dragon Pattern Glazed Tiles

It is hypothesized that the dragon pattern tiles originated from a single architectural complex, likely adorned on different sides of the same building. This assumption is supported by the consistent style and inscriptions on the tiles. The tiles' asymmetrical arrangement suggests they adorned different sides of roof ridges, enhancing the architectural aesthetics of their original setting.