sigmund freud's collection an archaeology of the mind
sigmund freud's collection an archaeology of the mind
sigmund freud's collection an archaeology of the mind
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Head <strong>of</strong> a Guardi<strong>an</strong> Figure<br />
Chinese, Ming Dynasty, 15th–17th century AD<br />
bronze, 17.0 x 15.0 x 15.5 cm<br />
LDFRD 3444<br />
Collection Freud Museum London<br />
Freud also collected a small r<strong>an</strong>ge <strong>of</strong> South-East Asi<strong>an</strong> art. He did not<br />
visit <strong>the</strong> region <strong>an</strong>d referred only in passing to eastern civilisations in<br />
his writings.<br />
Head <strong>of</strong> a Guardi<strong>an</strong> Figure is a protector <strong>of</strong> a Buddhist temple <strong>an</strong>d<br />
is known as a dvarapala. Typically, a pair <strong>of</strong> guardi<strong>an</strong>s in warrior dress<br />
holding weapons would fl <strong>an</strong>k <strong>the</strong> entr<strong>an</strong>ce to a temple or shrine.<br />
Buddhism had become popular in China during <strong>the</strong> H<strong>an</strong> dynasty<br />
(206 BC–220 AD). Though Chinese art tends to favour serenity <strong>an</strong>d<br />
contemplation, <strong>an</strong>d Buddhism is a non-violent religion, Guardi<strong>an</strong><br />
Figure has a fi erce expression. The duty <strong>of</strong> such fi gures was to actively<br />
protect <strong>the</strong> temple <strong>an</strong>d its worshippers, <strong>an</strong>d challenge those who<br />
would contradict <strong>the</strong> Buddha’s teachings. The mouth <strong>of</strong> Guardi<strong>an</strong><br />
Figure is open as if uttering <strong>the</strong> m<strong>an</strong>tra ‘ah’. His comp<strong>an</strong>ion fi gure<br />
would have had his mouth closed for ‘um.’ These two letters are<br />
<strong>the</strong> beginning <strong>an</strong>d end <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> S<strong>an</strong>skrit alphabet, <strong>an</strong>d symbolise <strong>the</strong><br />
beginning <strong>an</strong>d end <strong>of</strong> time. This Guardi<strong>an</strong> Figure would probably have<br />
stood on <strong>the</strong> left <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> entr<strong>an</strong>ce <strong>an</strong>d his comp<strong>an</strong>ion fi gure on <strong>the</strong> right.<br />
The Ming dynasty (1368-1644 AD) was a period <strong>of</strong> cultural<br />
restoration <strong>an</strong>d exp<strong>an</strong>sion. After overthrowing <strong>the</strong> Mongols, <strong>the</strong><br />
indigenous Chinese rulers engaged in major projects that included <strong>the</strong><br />
construction <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Forbidden City in Beijing <strong>an</strong>d fur<strong>the</strong>r fortifi cations <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> Great Wall.<br />
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