Justice - Ming Dynasty, 16th Century AD

Stoneware figure from a judgement group with aubergine, green, ochre and straw glazes

The belief in Hell entered China from Buddhism during the early 1st Millenium AD. From the late Tang Dynasty judgement scenes in the underworld were common. This figure of a Judge's assistant is holding records of evil deeds under his left arm.

Given to the British Museum Friends and the Art Fund (OA.117.11-16.1)



Stoneware figure from a judgement group with aubergine, green, ochre and straw glazes

There are ten Judges of Hell. In judgement groups, the judge often appears as a Chinese magistrate, with his two assistants, who record each individual's merits and faults. This figure holds the slim record of good deeds. The fierce figure above holds a much thicker record of sins. (OA.1938.5-26.115)