13th-century figurines testimony to the popularity of Chinese opera

The relief carving of a theatrical stage discovered in the tomb of Dong Ming, dating back to the Jin Dynasty (1115-1234), features five figurines playing different Chinese opera roles.

All five painted figurines have vivid expressions, with the protagonist standing in the middle. The specific assignment of roles proves the early maturity of Chinese opera.

Unearthed from the tomb in Houma city, Shanxi province, in 1959, the set of Chinese opera figurines is in the permanent collection of the Shanxi Museum.