A PAIR OF LARGE PAINTED RED POTTERY GUARDIAN FIGURES, WUSHIYONG

TANG DYNASTY (618-907)

Details

A PAIR OF LARGE PAINTED RED POTTERY GUARDIAN FIGURES, WUSHIYONG
TANG DYNASTY (618-907)
Each tall, slender figure is shown standing on a rockwork base, with the right hand clenched to hold a halberd and the left hand extended with fingers spread. Each wears well-detailed armor bearing traces of gilding, and a helmet with flared brim that frames the face, which is well modeled with scowling expression. There are traces of orangy red, black, white and pale green pigment.
33 and 32¼ in. (83.8 and 82 cm.) high, stands (2)

Provenance

J.J. Lally & Co., New York.
Christie's New York, 16 September 1998, lot 340.
Albin Salton Collection; Christie's New York, 20 September 2002, lot 263.

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Michael Bass

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Lot Essay

Compare two similarly attired guardian figures, with equally stern expressions, excavated from Tang dynasty tombs in Luoyang, Henan province: one from the tomb of Li Yanzhen, buried in 709, illustrated in Kaogu, 1984:10, pl. 6:3; the other from the tomb of Li Siben, also buried in 709, illustrated in Kaogu xuebao, 1989:3, pl. 2:2. The latter is especially similar in facial expression, armor and pose, including the position of the hands. Compare, also, the single figure sold at Christie's New York, 27 November 1991, lot 293.

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