East Asia, China, Tang Dynasty, ca. 618 to 906 CE. A 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, a split tunic skirt with billowing back panel, and dragon head shoulder pads. 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 and he wears a helmet headdress with horn like flanges. The surface is painted in the original pigments of white, black, green, and vermillion red hues. Size: 7.5" L x 3" W x 18.5" H (19 cm x 7.6 cm x 47 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.
Provenance: ex-Barakat Gallery, Beverly Hills, California, USA, acquired prior to 2000
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#170934
Condition
Repaired, figures legs reattached to feet, break lines visible and loss to ankle surface. Loss to helmet flange tip as shown, left sleeve, Right sleeve repaired. Mineral and earthen deposits throughout and nice remains of painted pigments.