MODEL OF A WATCH TOWER WITH EIGHT ARCHERS

Description The tower consists of three removable, hollow levels that rise from an almost square courtyard surrounded by a wall. On the second and third levels, at the four corners of the balcony, there are as many crossbow figurines, some removable and others glued to the building. Modelled simply and summarily, they each wear a long tunic and a high crescent-shaped headdress above their heads. The tower was designed for a frontal view - where the few decorative elements are concentrated - and only partially lateral. While the figurines, the front and sides of the building are covered with a patchy glaze, the entire back and interior of the courtyard are not glazed and reveal the colour of the terracotta. These model lookout towers are quite common in the tombs of wealthy landowners in the Central Plain, particularly in Henan, at the end of the Han Dynasty.