拍品專文
See Viriginia L. Bower, "Two Masterworks of Tang Ceramic Sculpture", Orientations, June, 1993, pp. 72-77, where the author discusses guardian tomb figures at length and illustrates two examples standing on demon figures, p. 75, figs. 9 and 10; the first from the tomb of Li Mengjiang, the Princess Linchuan, Xian, Shaanxi province, dated to A.D. 682; the second from the tomb of Li Zhen, the Prince of Yue, Xian Shaanxi province, dated to A.D. 718.
These lokapalas are depicted in a range of costumes, with particularly detailed and varying epaulets and headdresses, while the idiosyncratic demons are shown in a variety of postures. Similar but smaller examples than the present pair are illustrated in Sekai toji zenshu, Kawada Shobo, Japan, 1961, vol. 9, p. 208, fig. 125; Ren-Yvon Lefebvre d'Argenc, Chinese Ceramics in the Avery Brundage Collection, San Francisco, 1967, p. 52, pl. XXI; Tokyo National Museum, Illustrated Catalogue of Old Oriental Ceramics, Tokyo, 1953, no. 40; and Annette L. Juliano, Bronze, Clay and Stone, Chinese Art in the C.C. Wang Family Collection, Seattle, 1988, no. 60.
See also a pair of sancai-glazed lokapalas standing on similar demons wearing pointed hats included in the exhibition in the Arts of the Tang Dynasty, Los Angeles County Museum, 1957, Catalogue, no. 159. Compare also the pair of painted pottery standing guardians on demonic figures included in the exhibition, Dragernes Rige (Empire of the Dragons), Aarhus Kunstmuseum, Denmark, 1995, p. 75, nos. 23 a and b.
For examples illustrating the development of these figures, both scupltural and painted, in the Dunhuang cave complexes, see Zhongguo shiku, Dunhuang mogao ku, Beijing, 1987, vol. 1-5. For early Tang examples of lokapala standing on muscular demons painted on the Eastern wall of the cave 380, one with blue breastplates, see op. cit., vol. 2, figs, 190-191; and for free-standing sculptural examples dated to the High Tang, more similar in pose and dramatic content, from the Western walls of cave 45 and 113, see op. cit., vol. 3, figs. 127 and 143, respectively.
A single lokapala on a demon from the Jingguantang Collection sold at Christie's in New York, September 18, 1997, lot 138
The result of Oxford Authentication Ltd. thermoluminescence test no. C298b59 is consistent with the dating of this lot.
These lokapalas are depicted in a range of costumes, with particularly detailed and varying epaulets and headdresses, while the idiosyncratic demons are shown in a variety of postures. Similar but smaller examples than the present pair are illustrated in Sekai toji zenshu, Kawada Shobo, Japan, 1961, vol. 9, p. 208, fig. 125; Ren-Yvon Lefebvre d'Argenc, Chinese Ceramics in the Avery Brundage Collection, San Francisco, 1967, p. 52, pl. XXI; Tokyo National Museum, Illustrated Catalogue of Old Oriental Ceramics, Tokyo, 1953, no. 40; and Annette L. Juliano, Bronze, Clay and Stone, Chinese Art in the C.C. Wang Family Collection, Seattle, 1988, no. 60.
See also a pair of sancai-glazed lokapalas standing on similar demons wearing pointed hats included in the exhibition in the Arts of the Tang Dynasty, Los Angeles County Museum, 1957, Catalogue, no. 159. Compare also the pair of painted pottery standing guardians on demonic figures included in the exhibition, Dragernes Rige (Empire of the Dragons), Aarhus Kunstmuseum, Denmark, 1995, p. 75, nos. 23 a and b.
For examples illustrating the development of these figures, both scupltural and painted, in the Dunhuang cave complexes, see Zhongguo shiku, Dunhuang mogao ku, Beijing, 1987, vol. 1-5. For early Tang examples of lokapala standing on muscular demons painted on the Eastern wall of the cave 380, one with blue breastplates, see op. cit., vol. 2, figs, 190-191; and for free-standing sculptural examples dated to the High Tang, more similar in pose and dramatic content, from the Western walls of cave 45 and 113, see op. cit., vol. 3, figs. 127 and 143, respectively.
A single lokapala on a demon from the Jingguantang Collection sold at Christie's in New York, September 18, 1997, lot 138
The result of Oxford Authentication Ltd. thermoluminescence test no. C298b59 is consistent with the dating of this lot.