Roof Tile Sherd Item Number: Edz1032 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Semi-circular sherd. Glazed on one face with dark blue-green; raised leaf decoration on glazed surface. Mottled clay protrudes from part of the curved edge.
History Of Use
This sherd is a fragment of a roof tile found on a pile of waste materials resulting from damage incurred during the construction of the Tsuen Wan line of the Hong Kong MTR, or subway. This passed close to Tsuen Wan’s major temple, dedicated to Tien Hou, the Queen of Heaven or Sea Goddess, and the sherds are from the roof tiles of the temple. This one is typical of the ends of the roof nearest to the walls.
For about 200 years the temple was the ritual focus for the native Hakka people of the 21 villages of Tsuen Wan, as well as the place from which they governed themselves at the local level. It has remained so to this day, although the native people are now far outnumbered by immigrants from China who also worship there. Although Tsuen Wan is now a city of more than 800,000 people, its original people still have special rights that are expressed through rituals held in the temple.
Narrative
As these broken tiles were to be discarded, it seemed worthwhile to collect them as examples of this ware and also the value of the materials that this formerly very poor community had used in building and renovating their major temple.
Cultural Context
religion
Item History
- Made in Shiwan, Guangdong, China between 1900 and 1930
- Collected by Elizabeth L. Johnson in Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong, China during 1979
- Owned by Elizabeth L. Johnson before March 17, 1980
- Received from Elizabeth L. Johnson (Seller) and Museum of Anthropology Shop Volunteers (Funding source) on March 17, 1980
What
Who
- Culture
- Chinese: Hakka
- Field Collector
- Elizabeth L. Johnson
- Previous Owner
- Elizabeth L. Johnson
- Received from
- Elizabeth L. Johnson (Seller) and Museum of Anthropology Shop Volunteers (Funding source)
Where
When
- Creation Date
- between 1900 and 1930
- Collection Date
- during 1979
- Ownership Date
- before March 17, 1980
- Acquisition Date
- on March 17, 1980
Other
- Item Classes
- ceramics
- Condition
- fair
- Accession Number
- 0610/0002