TANG DYNASTY LOKAPALAS TOMB GUARDIAN FIGURES-TL TESTED 6TH CENTURY CE

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HERE FOR AUCTION ARE TWO BEAUTIFUL MATCHING SCULPTURAL LOKAPALAS ( GUARDIAN OF THE WORLD) TANG DYNASTY TOMB FIGURES. BOTH WEARING HELMETS AND FULL BODY ARMOR. EARTHEN WARE WITH TRACES OF RED, PINK AND GREEN PIGMENT. ALSO TRACES OF GOLD LEAF. 33 INCHES TALL AND WEIGHING NEARLY 40 POUNDS.OXFORD TL TEST INCLUDED. The exceptionally expressive modeling of the faces are virtually ahallmark of the best Northern Wei tomb figures. The use of a rectangular base was also introduced during this period. During the Tang Dynasty, restrictions were placed on the number of objects that could be included in tombs, an amount determined by an individual's social rank. In spite of the limitations, a striking variety of tomb furnishings have been excavated. Entire retinues of terracotta figures - animals, entertainers, musicians, guardians - were buried with the dead. Many of the objects reflect Tang China's extraordinary amount of contact with foreigners, bringing into China influences that were then adapted and absorbed into its culture. One of these influences is apparent in this figure that corresponds to Buddhist warrior deities that assume a mortuary role in China but also serve as protectors of Buddhist temples. Known as "Protector of the Burial Vault" or "Protector of the Burial Ground," the fierce, armored guardian stands atop a recumbent ox. This stance symbolizes the heavenly king's authority and responsibility as protector of the tomb. According to one Chinese tradition explaining their origin, the emperor Taizong when ill was threatened by ghosts outside of his room screeching and throwing bricks and tiles. When his general Jin Shubao (Chin Shu-pao) and a fellow officer came to stand guard the activity of the ghosts ceased. The grateful emperor had portraits of the two men hung on either side of his palace gates, and thereafter their images became widespread as door-gods. Originally, this colorfully painted Lokapala would have brandished a weapon in his hand. Most likely a spear, this object was probable made from a material such as wood that deteriorated over the centuries. Look unto his handsome face, complete with a carefully groomed mustache, and gazing into his stern eyes, we understand why such works were intended to frighten away tomb robbers and evil spirits. Yet despite his intimidating nature, we are not repelled by him; instead, we are attracted to his artistic mastery and intriguing history. The T’ang Dynasty was an era of unrivaled wealth and luxury. The country was successfully reunified and the borders were expanded, pushing Chinese influence into new lands. Confucianism became a quasi-religious instrument of the state; yet Buddhism continued to flourish, spreading into Korea and Japan. The arts reached new levels of sophistication. Poetry and literature flourished under the enlightened rulers. The Silk Road brought fortunes into China. Precious treasures were imported on the backs of camels from far away lands and bartered for Chinese silk, medicinal herbs, and pungent spices. T’ang China was a multicultural empire where foreign merchants from across Central Asia and the Middle East settled in the urban centers, foremost among them the thriving capital of Chang’an (modern X’ian), a bustling cosmopolitan center of over two million inhabitants. Foreign traders lived next to native artisans and both thrived. New ideas and exotic artistic forms followed alongside. The T’ang Dynasty was a cultural renaissance where many of the forms and objects we now associate with China were first created. Moreover, this period represents one of the greatest cultural outpourings in human history. read more

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