TANG DYNASTY (618-907)

Details

A PAIR OF PAINTED GREY POTTERY FIGURES OF EARTH SPIRITS Tang dynasty (618-907) Both shown seated with forelegs stiffly braced on the shaped base, one with bearded human face, elephantine ears, a single horn, tall twist of hair and cloven hoofs, the other with leonine face below a pair of horns, with a crest at the back of the head, both painted with a ribbed belly and foliate decoration on the chest, all in red, cream, pale green, black and white, with traces of gilding 26 and 23¼in. (66 and 59cm.) high (2)

Provenance

Christie's, New York, 21 September 2000, lot 253.

Lot Essay

Earth spirits usually appear in pairs, one with a human head and the other with a lion head. Their supernatural powers, indicated by antlers, spiky flanges and flames, enable them to confront evil spirits and protect any precincts within their gaze.
The result of Oxford Authentication Ltd. thermoluminescence test no. C100u99 is consistent with the dating of this lot.

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