A PAIR OF PAINTED AND SANCAI-GLAZED BUFF POTTERY EARTH SPIRITS, ZHENMU SHOU

TANG DYNASTY

Details

A PAIR OF PAINTED AND SANCAI-GLAZED BUFF POTTERY EARTH SPIRITS, ZHENMU SHOU
Tang Dynasty
Each mythical beast seated on its haunches upon a pierced rockwork base, one with an unglazed humanoid face detailed in red pigment with pronounced eyes, nose and a moustache, the other with a leonine-like head and a ferocious expression, the mouth open in a roar exposing the fangs, each with feathered wings at the shoulders and forked crests, the dragon-like beast with a crown of spikes, each under controlled areas and random splashes of green, amber and straw glazes
31½in. (80cm.) high (2)

Lot Essay

The leonine-headed figure of this pair of earth spirits is similar in style and ferocity of expression to the slightly larger figure excavated in 1971 from the tomb of Prince Zhanghuai, Qian County, Shaanxi province and included in the exhibition, The Quest for Eternity, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, October 15, 1987 - January 3, 1988, Catalogue, pp. 38, 131 and 132, no. 64

The result of Oxford Authentication Ltd. thermoluminescence test no. C97c90 is consistent with the dating of this lot