South, East, and Southeast Asia Timeline

Funeral banner of Lady Dai (180 B.C.E.)

180 BCE

The funeral banner of Lady Dai is made of silk and spans over six feet in length. It originated from Han Dynasty in the Hunan region of China. Although the exact purpose of these banners is uncertain, they are certainly connected to the afterlife. The banner can be split into four parts: the heavenly realm, Lady Dai and attendants, her body with mourners, and the underworld. https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/ap-art-history/south-east-se-asia/china-art/a/funeral-banner-of-lady-dai-xin-zhui

Gold and jade crown (late 5th century)

450

This crown, made of gold and jade, originated from the Silla Kingdom in Korea during its Three Kingdoms Period. These crowns were used both for burial purposes as well as ceremonial rituals. The Koreans practiced shamanism, so these crowns acted as a symbol for the power of the royalty. The jade ornaments are symbols for ripened fruit to show fertility and abundance, indicating success and wealth. https://www.ancient.eu/article/957/the-gold-crowns-of-silla/

Borobudur Temple (around 800 C.E.)

800

This mandala structured temple made of stone is located in Java, constructed in the Sailendra Dynasty. The temple is a monument to Buddha, so there are many nods to spirituality in the architecture. For example, the path through Borobudur signals the path of enlightenment and follows the idea of transcendental wisdom through the eight-fold path (physically symbolized by the paths in the temple). https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/ap-art-history/south-east-se-asia/indonesia-art/a/borobudur

Night Attack on the Sanjo Palace (second half of 13th century)

1250

The Night Attack on the Sanjo Palace is ink and color on paper (called emaki) and dates from the Kamakura Period in Japan. The hand scroll tells a story of a historical incident at Sanjo Palace in the Heiji Insurrection. The scroll is painted with such accuracy and detail that historians are able to reference it with confidence. It also tells a compelling narrative. https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/ap-art-history/south-east-se-asia/japan-art/a/night-attack

Jahangir Preferring a Sufi Shaikh to Kings (1615 - 1618 C.E.)

1615

Painted by Bichitr with watercolor, gold, and ink on paper, the miniature folio was once part of a muraqqa, honoring the rule of Jahangir during the Mughal dynasty. There are class distinctions, indicated by obvious wealth difference between Jahangir and the Shaikh. Giving to the poor Shaikh shows his love and loyalty to his people, and not just political allies. www.khanacademy.org/humanities/ap-art-history/south-east-se-asia/india-art/a/bichtir-jahangir-preferring-a-sufi-shaikh-to-kings