Stoneware figure from a judgement group

With aubergine, green, ochre and straw glazes.
Ming Dynasty, 16th century AD.

The belief in Hell entered China with Buddhism during the early 1st millenium AD. From the late Tang dynasty judgment scenes in the underworld were common. This figure of a judge's assistant is holding records of evil deeds under his left arm.

(Taken from the British Museum, 2nd Dec 2005)