Tomb guardian creature [pair with S1997.24]

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 straigh front legs freestanding. Lion-like head has four horns which rise up and out from the top. The head is surrounded by a mane of flame-like spikes. Large wings flare up and out from the upper body. Almost all of the figure is covered with polychrome glazes, typical of the Tang dynasty, yellow, green, brown, and white.

• Label

  Fearsome composite creatures such as this 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 to 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 Arthur M. Sackler Foundation, New York, NY, gift of Else Jorgensen Sackler [5]

  From 1997

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

  Notes:

  [1] See Provenance record from the Arthur M. Sackler Foundation faxed on March 31, 1997, copy 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 Arthur M. Sackler Foundation faxed on March 31, 1997, copy in object file.

  [5] The object was gifted to the Arthur M. Sackler Foundation by Else Sackler in 1997. See Provenance record from the Arthur M. Sackler Foundation faxed on March 31, 1997, copy in object file. See also Curatorial Remark 3 in the object record with notes from Bruce Young dated Jan 29, 1997.

  [6] See Acquisition Consideration Form, copy 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)

  Arthur M. Sackler Foundation (founded 1965)

• Origin

  Henan or Shaanxi province, China

• Credit Line

  Gift of The Arthur M. 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., Arthur M. Sackler Foundation, Sackler, Else, J. T. Tai & Co., 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