AN UNUSUAL PAINTED RED POTTERY FIGURE OF A GUARDIAN

AN UNUSUAL PAINTED RED POTTERY FIGURE OF A GUARDIAN
Tang Dynasty
Depicted standing atop a rockwork base with a demon wriggling beneath each boot, his head turned towards the snake held in his right hand and wound around the forearm while his left hand rests defiantly on his hip, wearing layered armor and a winged helmet surmounted by a phoenix, his face well modeled with scowling expression detailed in black, white, pink and red pigment, the hollow pupils indicating there would have been inlay
34in. (88.3cm.) high