Unearthed from the Han Dynasty tomb at Mozuizi in Wuwei City. The wooden figurines are carved from pine wood, …
Unearthed from the Han Dynasty tomb at Mozuizi in Wuwei City. The wooden figurines are carved from pine wood, depicting two elderly men kneeling and playing a board game. A two-tiered chessboard is placed between them, with a black base and white lines forming grids on the surface. The remaining space beside the chessboard is used for rolling dice. Both figurines wear cone-shaped buns and cross-collar robes with right-side closures. Their faces and hands are painted white, with facial features, beards, and hair painted in black. The bodies are painted gray with thick white lines outlining the costumes, and the collars, lapels, and cuffs are painted with heavy black ink. Their gestures are slightly different, one places his right hand on his knee and raises his left hand to his chest; the other stretches his right arm forward and downward, holding a game piece. The two elderly men have focused expressions, ready for action, engaged in an intense chess match. This six-player chess figurine is full of charm, creating an atmosphere of imminent competition through simple yet intricate details, and is a masterpiece of Han Dynasty wood carving art.