**Originally Listed At $5000**

East Asia, China, Tang Dynasty, ca. 618 to 907 CE. A magnificent guardian figure called a zhenmushou (grave-quelling beast) or earth spirit of a monumental scale, presenting a characteristic fantastical hybrid, creature-like form comprised of both animal and human elements and retaining rich gold and green sancai glaze on much of the surface. The beast faces forward with a ferocious appearance comprised of its bulging eyes, furrowed brow, and snarling grimace; its head presenting an undulating horn or flame emerging from the top and large pointed ears from either side, as it sits on its hind haunches with wing-like projections rising from the front, hooved legs. Earth spirits like this example were traditionally placed in tombs to ward off evil beings or spirits that threatened to intrude. Size: 8.6" W x 28.7" H (21.8 cm x 72.9 cm)

"Sancai" means "three colors" and is a type of decoration in Chinese pottery using intermingled colors for decoration; it is a signature of the Tang Dynasty. A piece like this would have been made by using white clay and firing it, then applying glaze tinted with copper for green and iron for amber/brownish yellow hues. Three major kilns in northern China were responsible for making these pieces, which were designed to go into the tombs of Tang aristocracy.

The Tang Dynasty was a thrilling time in Chinese history, when trade flourished along the Silk Routes and unified China was the richest country on earth. Chang'an (now Xi'an) was the Tang capital, and it was one of the most cosmopolitan cities on earth, filled with foreigners who had travelled to China to trade; the influence of foreigners and talented native Chinese, combined with the economic prosperity brought on by trade and the new religion from India, Buddhism, created a powerful cultural milieu where poetry and other forms of art flourished.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Provenance: private Vero Beach, Florida, USA collection, acquired in 1980s; ex-old English collection

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#177329

Professionally repaired with restoration, all done very well and barely noticeable. Expected surface wear, commensurate with age. Otherwise, excellent with impressive remains of glaze and earthen encrustations to interior.