Stele for Cao Quan

Eastern Han dynasty (25�220 c.e.), Zhongping reign period (184�188), dated 185

Unearthed during the late Ming dynasty at Xinli village, Geyang County, Shaanxi Province; stone engraved in clerical script; dimensions of original stele approx. 272.0 x 95.0 cm; stone now in the collection of the Forest of Stelae, Shaanxi Provincial Museum, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province

Album of 42 leaves, ink rubbed on paper, accordion-style mounting between top and bottom wooden boards; overall dimensions of album: 31.5 x 15.9 cm; each leaf: approx. 31.4 x 15.7 cm; each rubbing panel: approx. 25.0 x 11.5-11.6 cm, except first rubbing panel, 25.0 x 11.3 cm, and last rubbing panel: 24.8 x 12.1 cm

Date of rubbing not given, probably late Ming dynasty (1368�1644), between 1573 and 1644

Inventory number: Shanta 56

By the Eastern Han period, especially from the mid-second century onward, stelae were carved in profusion and bore lengthy inscriptions.� Many were erected to commemorate individuals.� One such important stele records the achievements of Cao Quan, magistrate of Geyang.� An example of jigong bei (stelae recording good and noble deeds), this is one of the best preserved of the Han and exhibits exceptional finesse.� It was commissioned by 61 officials and residents of Geyang prefecture, in what is now Shaanxi Province, to praise the virtues of the aristocratic Cao Quan and his clan.

The rubbing of this stele, originally composed of one or more large sheets, was subsequently cut into strips and remounted in its present format.