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Tomb figurine of Eastern Han comedian now in museum collection
Updated: May 24, 2022
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How did the elite from 2,000 years ago entertain themselves?
The tomb figurine of a storyteller, reputed as the “No 1 Figurine of the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220)”, vividly portrays the image of a comedian in ancient times. The figurine holds a drum in his left arm and a drumstick with his right hand. The figurine shows joyful expressions and exaggerated actions.
It also reflects a popular form of entertainment in the Han Dynasty – watching humorous performances by comedians.
Excavated from a hanging coffin in Chengdu, Sichuan province in 1957, the figurine is in the permanent collection of the National Museum of China now.
