East Asia, China, Tang Dynasty, ca. 618 to 907 CE. A fantastical mold-formed pottery guardian figure known as a lokapala with a fierce expression wearing elaborate armor and robes over a portly belly as he stands triumphantly on a recumbent ox. He is adorned in greaves and a split tunic skirt with billowing back panel and flared sleeves on his upraised arms. Both hands are clenched, perhaps a separate weapon was held aloft at one point, such as a sword. His pudgy face has bulging, glaring eyes, goatee and pencil mustache under a helmet headdress with horn like flanges. The surface is masterfully painted like a luxurious brocade or woven silk with swirling circular and floral shapes in the original pigments of white, black, green, and vermillion red hues. Size: 7" L x 4" W x 15" H (17.8 cm x 10.2 cm x 38.1 cm)
Lokapalas were demonic guardians from Buddhist tradition that were believed to protect the deceased, and often grouped in a collection of 4 tomb figures composed of a pair of lokapalas and a pair of civil officials to represent each of the cardinal directions. These figures were one of the few Buddhist themes depicted in Chinese funerary iconography. The faces of these lokapala are often painted to look like foreigners to represent the cultural exchange and spread of Buddhism from other parts of Asia. This may be Virupaksha, Guardian King of the West, both fearsome and wrathful- trampling the ox underfoot as a sign of his might.
This piece has been tested using thermoluminescence (TL) analysis and has been found to be ancient and of the period stated. A full printed and bound report is available to the buyer upon request.
Provenance: ex-Barakat Gallery, Beverly Hills, California, USA, acquired prior to 2000
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#170820
Condition
Repaired, head reattached, visible break line on neck verso and losses along fissure. Loss to headdress as shown. Surface abrasions and chips. TL hole on base and second TL hole on verso of left arm. Fading and chips to pigments, but facial and clothing details are well preserved. Mineral deposits throughout and earthen encrustations on chest and face.