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SAM'S collection
Photo: Susan Cole
Roof tile
Photo: Susan Cole

Roof tile

Date14th–17th century
Label TextZoomorphic ornaments were generally placed at the front of a roof's main ridge. This special figure, mounted on a dragon, is also part of a series that covers the entire length of the ridge. Besides adorning the roof of a building, the figures are also believed to bring good fortune to the occupants.
Object number2007.24
Photo CreditPhoto: Susan Cole
Exhibition HistorySeattle, Washington, Seattle Art Museum, "SAM at 75: Building a Collection for Seattle", May 5, 2007 - September 9, 2007 Seattle, Washington, Seattle Asian Art Museum, "Chinese Art: A Seattle Perspective", December 22, 2007 - July 26, 2009 (12/22/2007 - 7/26/2009)Published ReferencesYiu, Josh. "The Chinese Connection and the Chinese Collection at the Seattle Art Museum," A Community of Collectors, Seattle, WA: Seattle Art Museum, 2008, p. 162, illus. 139.
Credit LineGift of Henry and Mary Ann James, in honor of the 75th Anniversary of the Seattle Art Museum
Dimensions30 x 31 x 8 1/2 in. (76.2 x 78.7 x 21.6 cm)
MediumCeramic tile with low-fired lead glaze
Photo: Susan Cole
Chinese
14th–17th century
Object number: 2007.23
Tile Panel:  Quatrefoils and Lozenges
Dutch
early 17th century
Object number: 62.125
Tile Panel:  Tulips and Fleur-De-Lis
Dutch
early 17th century
Object number: 62.126
Tile Panel:  Fruit, Flowers, Stars
Dutch
early 17th century
Object number: 62.127
Roof tiles
Chinese
mid 17th-early 20th century
Object number: 36.77
Roof tile with Eight-petaled lotus blossom
Japanese
673-685
Object number: 56.250
Photo: Scott Leen
Japanese
ca. 18th-19th century
Object number: 2021.31.1
Photo: Scott Leen
Japanese
18th-19th century
Object number: 2021.31.2
Chinese
206 B.C.-220 A.D.
Object number: 41.27
Chinese
206 B.C.-220 A.D.
Object number: 41.28