The date and original purpose of these tiles also adds to their interest, for it appears that they belonged to the Ch'in Dynasty (285-206 B.C.) and were designed {0 form the sides of tombs of presumably Important person ages of that far distant period of China's history, which brought toa lose the famous Chou Dynasty (1122+ 255 B.C.) and ushered in the glorious Hon Dynasty (206 B.C. to A.D. 220) This dating 1s deduced from the form of certain. characters. appearing on the tiles, as well as. from the style of certain of the designs, notably those of the dragon and fabulous birds, which definitely resemble the designs on acknowledged Ch'in period bronze mirrors.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.