Artistic Analysis of Song-Jin Dynasty Brick Carvings Unearthed in Gansu, China

Abstract

Brick carvings of the Song-Jin period unearthed in Gansu represent one of the most significant decorative forms found in imitation timber-structured brick mural tombs of northwestern China. These artifacts have been discovered primarily in the eastern and central regions of Gansu Province. Their iconographic repertoire can be broadly classified into four categories: filial-piety narratives, scenes of everyday life, auspicious birds and mythical beasts, and floral motifs. Among these, themes associated with the Twenty-Four Filial Exemplars constitute the most representative subject matter, reflecting the pervasive influence of Confucian ethics. Depictions of daily activities vividly reconstruct contemporary experiences of labor, banqueting, and social interaction, while floral and zoomorphic motifs convey auspicious symbolism and popular aspirations for prosperity and well-being.From an artistic perspective, these brick carvings were produced through both molding and carving techniques. Their compositions are characterized by flexibility and diversity, while the figures and motifs combine realistic observation with expressive exaggeration. Chromatically, red and black serve as the dominant colors, often supplemented by polychrome painting. Collectively, these works exhibit distinctive aesthetic qualities marked by simplicity, spontaneity, secularization, and strong regional characteristics.Furthermore, the brick carvings embody a synthesis of Confucian, Buddhist, and Daoist beliefs, reflecting contemporary conceptions of life, death, the afterlife, and filial morality. As valuable material evidence, they provide important insights into the social culture, folk customs, religious thought, and vernacular artistic traditions of the Song-Jin period. More broadly, they serve as significant carriers of the historical spirit and regional cultural identity of medieval Gansu.