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拍品专文
The dating is consistent with the Oxford Authentification thermoluminescence test numbers C201b33 and C201b34
In their Buddhist role as guardians of the four directions (Skt. lokapala) they are known as tianwang in Chinese and normally occur in groups of four. During the Tang dynasty however often only one pair of tianwang was included in the iconographic configurations, particularly visible in the tombs. By the seventh century, these Heavenly Kings gained increasing popularity and especially their iconography of warrior subduing a demon-like creature or large animal such as at the bull seems to carry powerful apotropaic connotions. The Buddhist lokapalas or tianwang in full armoured regalia replaced the indiginous tomb-warrior tradition and became spectacular grave goods. Buddhist guardian figures and tomb guardians became virtually indistinguishable as the pair under discussion confirm.
In their Buddhist role as guardians of the four directions (Skt. lokapala) they are known as tianwang in Chinese and normally occur in groups of four. During the Tang dynasty however often only one pair of tianwang was included in the iconographic configurations, particularly visible in the tombs. By the seventh century, these Heavenly Kings gained increasing popularity and especially their iconography of warrior subduing a demon-like creature or large animal such as at the bull seems to carry powerful apotropaic connotions. The Buddhist lokapalas or tianwang in full armoured regalia replaced the indiginous tomb-warrior tradition and became spectacular grave goods. Buddhist guardian figures and tomb guardians became virtually indistinguishable as the pair under discussion confirm.