Tomb guardian creature [pair with S1997.25]

Object Details

• Description

  Large, ceramic figure of a stylized demon/animal, perched on top of a high pedestal. Animal-like body rests on its back haunches, with straight front legs freestanding. Large ears and horns rise up and out from the head, with one single horn coming out of the forehead. Flame-like spikes or protrusions rise from the shoulders, wings and back. With the exception of most of the head, most of the figure is covered with polychrome glazed, typical of the Tang dynasty, yellow, green, brown, and white.

• Label

  Fearsome composite creatures such as these are among the most admired objects from the Tang dynasty (618–907). With grimacing human or bestial faces, wings, and flaming manes, these fantastic creatures were made as guardians for the tombs of princes and high-ranking nobles to ward off evil forces. The random patterns created by running glazes in cream, brown, and green, a dramatic effect deliberately exploited by Tang potters, further accentuate their energy and power.

• Provenance

  To 1965

  J. T. Tai & Co., New York, NY [1]

  From 1965 1987

  Dr. Arthur M. Sackler (1913-1987), New York, New York, purchased from J. T. Tai & Co., New York, NY [2]

  From 1987 to 1996

  Estate of Arthur M. Sackler [3]

  From 1996 to 1997

  Else Jorgensen Sackler (1913-2000), by inheritance from the Estate of Arthur M. Sackler [4]

  1997

  The Else Sackler Foundation, New York, New York, gift of Else Jorgensen Sackler [5]

  From 1997

  Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, gift of the Else Sackler Foundation, New York, New York [6]

  Notes:

  [1] See Provenance record from the Else Sackler Foundation faxed on March 31, 1997, copies in object file. J.T. Dealer No. YT-4861.

  [2] See object file.

  [3] See note 3.

  [4] Else Sackler received the object from the Estate of Arthur M. Sackler in 1996. See Provenance record from the Else Sackler Foundation faxed on March 31, 1997, copy in object file.

  [5] The object was gifted to the Else Sackler Foundation by Else Sackler in 1997. See Provenance record from the Else Sackler Foundation faxed on March 31, 1997, copy in object file.

  [6] See Acquisition Consideration Form and the Deed of Gift, copies in object file.

• Collection

  Arthur M. Sackler Collection

• Exhibition History

  The Arts of China (November 18, 1990 to September 7, 2014)

  Monsters, Myths and Minerals (September 28, 1987 to November 26, 1995)

• Previous custodian or owner

  Mrs. Else Sackler (1913-2000)

  The Arthur M. Sackler Collections Trust

  Dr. Arthur M. Sackler (1913-1987)

  J. T. Tai & Co. (established in 1950)

  The Else Sackler Foundation

• Origin

  Henan or Shaanxi province, China

• Credit Line

  Gift of the Else Sackler Foundation

• Type

  Sculpture

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  700s

• Name

  Sackler, Arthur M., Sackler, Else, J. T. Tai & Co., The Else Sackler Foundation, The Arthur M. Sackler Collections Trust

• Place

  Shaanxi province, China, Henan

• Topic

  Art, Chinese Art, Tomb, Pottery, Tang dynasty (618 - 907), Guardian, Ceramics

• Culture

  Chinese

• Object Type

  Sculpture