This rare and culturally significant Sancai terracotta roof tile dates to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 A.D.). Crafted in the form of a guardian wrestler, the roof tile was specially designed to be placed on the curved roof ridges so popular in Chinese architecture. Standing as sentinel over both private households and temples, terracotta warriors such as this one were thought to ward off evil spirits and bring luck and prosperity to a buildingâ€Ã¢â€žÂ¢s occupants.Beautifully crafted, the terracotta guardian is decorated with the traditional sancai glazing technique that was utilized in pottery production since the Tang dynasty (618-906 A.D.). Literally meaning "three colors", the body of Sancai ceramics was made of white clay coated with a layer of glaze. The polychrome effect was obtained by using as coloring agents copper (green), iron (brown, orange, and yellow), and less often manganese and cobalt (blue). When fired, these glazes would melt and run into each other, giving these extraordinarily scarce artifacts their distinct coloration. 15 1/2” high x 10” wide x 6” deep