Artwork Page for Tomb Guardians

Details / Information for Tomb Guardians

Tomb Guardians

鎮墓獸

early 700s

China, probably Shaanxi province, Xi'an, Tang dynasty

(618-907)
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Medium
glazed earthenware, sancai (three-color) ware
Measurements
Part 1: 92.3 x 43.8 x 41.9 cm (36 5/16 x 17 1/4 x 16 1/2 in.); Part 2: 88.9 x 41 x 50.8 cm (35 x 16 1/8 x 20 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of various donors to the department of Asian Art (by exchange) 2000.118
Public Domain
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Location
239 Chinese Ceramics and Metalwork
Print
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Did You Know?

Sancai (three-color) glazes in green, amber, and transparent white, plus expensive cobalt blue glaze, show the high social status of the tomb’s occupant.

Description

With fierce expressions, elongated spikes, and exaggerated physical features, these two fantastic creatures were intended to guard the entrance to a tomb, warding off evil as well as keeping the soul of the deceased from wandering. Known as qitou, or earth spirits, both sculptures differ in appearance: one has an animal face, claws, and a pair of antlers; the other sports a human face with huge ears, hooves, and a short horn.
Two earthenware sculptures, glazed in green, orange, blue, and cream, depict mythical beasts with blue faces, one animal and the other human, sitting upright on their hind legs, one with claws and the other hooves. They bare their teeth, slender flamelike spikes jutting from their shoulders and back.

Tomb Guardians

early 700s

China, probably Shaanxi province, Xi'an, Tang dynasty (618-907)

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