Lot 81
81
A RARE PAINTED POTTERY HUMAN-HEADED SNAKE-BEAST

EARLY TANG DYNASTY, 7TH CENTURY

Details
A RARE PAINTED POTTERY HUMAN-HEADED SNAKE-BEAST
Early Tang Dynasty, 7th Century
With finely detailed features and flesh tones to the face and throat, black stripes around the body down its entire length
10in. (27.2cm.) high; 16in. (42cm.) long

Lot Essay

Compare the example with twisted, looping body from the Ezekiel Schloss Collection, Ancient Chinese Ceramic Sculpture, Stamford, 1977, Vol. 2, pl. 78; and another example in the Tokyo National Museum, Chinese Ceramics I, 1988, Catalogue, p.46, no. 176.

The result of the University of Hong Kong, Thermoluminescence Authenticity test no. 171.94 is consistent with the dating of this lot.