Origin: China
Period: ca.618-906
Price: $18,000 USD + shipping/handling
Stock Number: 6090
Description: A rare and impressive large Tang dynasty sancai Lokapala, (warrior tomb guardian), ca.618-906. Dimensions: approx.29.5" (75 cm) tall. Weight: approx. 15 lbs. This imposing Lokapala was made in the form of a fierce warrior effigy. He is standing on top of a bull. The glaze is rare and highly sought after sancai. Sancai glaze was developed during the Tang dynasty and is a fusion of 3 glaze colors: green, beige and white. The fired glaze has mottled and runny appearance. The head and hand also has cold painted red and black pigment. The expression on the guardians face and his poise is almost life-like as is characteristic of all genuine tang figures. The guardian standing on the back of a cow is symbolic of him crushing or controlling a demon. The cow is a demon. In Chinese cultural lore, when an evil or otherwise bad person dies he will return (reincarnated) in the form of a lower entity (demon). And this demon may be in the form of a lowly animal like this cow. The glossy sancai glaze on this tomb guardian is completely intact and has a fine spider-web crackle with fine mineral inclusions. I have detailed this in my many high resolution close-up enlargements. Please ask if you need further images. As with nearly all authentic larger Tang tomb figures, there some old expert museum repair. As these figures stood guarding the burial tombs and they were broken and or crushed by the weight of the earth that filled and covered the tomb over the past 1100-1400 years. Note that this does not devalue this rare specimen. I only mentioned this for accuracy of listing. Please send inquiries to inquiry@cicadaasianart.com. Condition Consensus: Very Good condition with glossy sancai glaze with fine crackle. Old expert museum repair to the leg and base.Notes:
A very similar example of another Tang Dyn. Sancai Guardian is on display at The Indianapolis Museum of Art. The link to this webpage is shown below. Simply cut and paste this address to your address bar and go.http://www.imamuseum.org/interactives/creatures/guardian4.html Another Lokapala (not sancai)is being offered at Sotheby's NY Auction, Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art Sale: N08524, Session 1: Tue, 17 Mar 09 2:00 PM...estimate $30,000/50,000 USD. Link: http://www.sothebys.com/app/live/lot/LotDetail.jsp?lot_id=159519431
Condition: Very Good (see description) |
