Tomb guardian figure

Detail of a pattern
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At A Glance

  • Period

    ca. 4th century BCE
  • Geography

    Hunan province, Middle Yangtze River valley, China
  • Material

    Wood, pigment, and deer antler
  • Dimension

    H x W x D (assembled): 57.5 x 27.5 x 30.8 cm (22 5/8 x 10 13/16 x 12 1/8 in)
  • Accession Number

    S2000.125a-l
  • EDAN ID

    edanmdm:fsg_S2000.125a-l

Object Details

  • Provenance

    From 1936-37
    John Hadley Cox (1913-2005), acquired in Changsha, Hunan province, China. [1]
    To 1987
    Arthur M. Sackler (1913-1987), New York, New York. [2]
    From 1987 to 1994
    Estate of Arthur M. Sackler. [3]
    1994
    Sale, New York, Christie’s, Important Chinese Works of Art from The Arthur M. Sackler Collections, December 1, 1994, Sale #8064, lot 159: “A Rare Painted Wood Earth Spirit.” [4]
    From 1994
    Thomas Colville, New Haven, Connecticut, purchased at Sale, Christie’s, New York, Important Chinese Works of Art from The Arthur M. Sackler Collections, December 1, 1994, Sale #8064, lot 159. [5]
    From 2000
    Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, gift of Thomas Colville, New Haven, Connecticut. [6]
    Notes:
    [1] See Curatorial Remark 2 in the object record.
    [2] See note 1.
    [3] See note 1.
    [4] See Christie’s, New York auction catalogue of Dec. 1, 1994, copy in object file, Collections Management Office.
    [5] See note 1.
    [6] See Gift Receipt, copy in object file, Collections Management Office.
  • Collection

    National Museum of Asian Art Collection
  • Exhibition History

    The Arts of China (November 18, 1990 to September 7, 2014)
  • Previous custodian or owner

    John Hadley Cox (1913-2005)
    Dr. Arthur M. Sackler (1913-1987)
    The Arthur M. Sackler Collections Trust
    Christie's (New York)
    Thomas L. Colville
  • Origin

    Hunan province, Middle Yangtze River valley, China
  • Credit Line

    Gift of Thomas Colville in honor of Jenny So
  • Type

    Sculpture
  • Restrictions and Rights

    Usage Conditions Apply

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