A LARGE PAINTED GREY POTTERY FIGURE OF AN EARTH SPIRIT

TANG DYNASTY (618-907)

Details

A LARGE PAINTED GREY POTTERY FIGURE OF AN EARTH SPIRIT
TANG DYNASTY (618-907)
The ferocious mythical beast with muscular body shown with its front hoofs planted firmly on the base, the leonine head framed by the mane and modelled with prominent fangs, bulging eyes below furrowed brows and a central horn rising from the forehead in front of two backward-curved, ribbed horns, with a line of spikes rising from the backbone above the upright tail, covered in white pigment showing traces of black spots on the back
27½ in. (69.9 cm.) high

Lot Essay

This fabulously menacing, extremely well-modelled and articulated earth spirit embodies the power of the Tang potter, in whom creative and technical brilliance combined to produce this strong sculptural example.
The result of Oxford Authentication Ltd. thermoluminescence test no. C103t9 is consistent with the dating of this lot.

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