East Asia, China, Han Dynasty, ca. 206 BCE to 220 CE, probably earlier in the period. A tall, ceramic "beast guardian" figure. The fantastical figure stands, facing the viewer, wearing a short tunic and leggings molded to a high level of detail. His head is that of an older human male, with a wrinkled face and short beard, and deer-like features - huge ears and small antlers surrounding the bun at the top of his head. He holds a small axe in one hand, while in the other he holds a writhing serpent. His long tongue dangles out of his mouth, reaching to his waist. Figures like this one primarily come from southern China, and seem to have been inspired by the fantastical creatures of Han literature and Buddhist iconography. Size: 7" W x 27.5" H (17.8 cm x 69.8 cm)

Tomb figures like this one are part of a class of artifacts called mingqi - sometimes known as "spirit utensils" or "vessels for ghosts". They became popular in the Han Dynasty and would persist for several centuries. Alongside figures like this one were other animals, musicians, athletes, structures… anything the deceased might need to recreate the world of the living. Even though they were mass produced, mingqi of the Han Dynasty often show a high level of detail and naturalism. These were designed to assist the po, the part of the soul of the deceased that remained underground with the body while the hun, the other part of the soul, ascended. Caring for the po seems to have taken on a new level of meaning in the Han period, with more elaborate rituals and tomb construction arising.

Provenance: ex-private Kar Wong collection, Los Angeles, California, USA

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#138058

Repaired and restored from multiple pieces, with most restoration focused on the legs and the neck. Nice deposits on surface, with excellent remaining details.