Earth spirits, tomb guardians

Earthenware with sancai or “three-colored-glaze”

Tang dynasty, late 7th to 8th century
Height of left figure: 25 ½ in (64.7 cm)
Height of right figure: 27 ¾ in (70.4 cm)

These magnificent figures were likely pairs at one time, standing near the entrance of a Tang tomb for the protection of a high rank deceased person. The figure on the left still preserves in its humanoid face cold-painted pigments, while both figures are covered in the three-colored glaze characteristic of the period.

A thermoluminescence analysis has been performed by Oxford Authentication Ltd., and confirmed the dating.

Published: Asiantiques, Chinese Works of Art (2009), cat. no. 95

Ref. 859428

Price on request