| OBJECT UNDER SPOTLIGHT | |||||
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Each month we feature a Chinese Work of Art that exhibits singularly outstanding historical and aesthetic characteristics and qualities.
This month we have selected a GROUP OF FOUR GLAZED POTTERY FIGURES, SANCAI with TURQUOISE Tang Dynasty (618 - 907) Height: Lokapala: 48 3/16 inches (124 cm.) (larger lokapala) Dignitaries: 47 ¼ inches (120 cm.) (larger dignitary) |
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| For more images, please click here. | |||||
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The group of four sancai glazed figures consists of two lokapalas and two dignitaries. The two lokapalas stand firmly on recumbent brown glazed oxen, one leg straight supported on the back of the ox and one knee raised with the foot on the head of the ox. Each has one arm akimbo and the other arm is raised with the fist tightly clenched. One of the lokapalas is bare-headed with his hair swept back in an incised chignon. His head, supported on his strong, muscular neck and broad shoulders, is turned to one side with bulging eyes glaring under deeply furrowed brows, a huge flaring nose, cleft chin, and an opened, snarling mouth exposing bared teeth. The other lokapala, wearing a helmet, glares commandingly with bulging eyes and lips drawn tightly downwards. His armor is more ornate with flamboyant snouts and horns curled upwards dramatically from the dragon head on the shoulder. Both lokapalas are attired similarly in full moustached military garb consisting of a scarf, makara shoulder armor, armored breast plates with cords delineating their chests, torso's and bellies, hip protectors worn over fringed aprons longer skirts, leather shin guards, and shoes. They are differentiated by their hairstyles and facial expressions. Both lokapalas are covered in a well controlled and brilliant three color glaze of straw, amber and green with turquoise glaze applied on parts of the shoulder armor, scarfs, shin guards, and cords binding the breast plates. In contrast, the two dignitaries, stand erect, with arms folded, hands clasped together, feet shoulder width apart. Both officials wear headdresses. One with a fierce expression including bulging eyes, open mouth and bare teeth has a bird on his cap while the other of more serene expression has a simpler cap. Long knee-length tunics with long, wide sleeves are worn over floor-length, flowing robes each with fringed hem. The tunics of both have crisply molded folds and are covered with a bright, rich amber glaze with green and straw collars, while their sleeves are defined by a brilliant three-color splashed glaze. A strap with straw and amber buckles hangs over the shoulder of the fierce dignitary and joins the three color breast and back plates with turquoise glazed border. The serene figure is also covered in a vivid glaze with turquoise details. The sculptor has captured the vitality as well as the lively naturalism of these remarkable figures, and has imbued each with unique, individualized features and expressions. They are united as a group by the extraordinary and opulent color scheme and the use of the extremely rare turquoise glaze. Tomb guardian figures were commonly placed in Chinese tombs from the Han period. However, it was during the Tang Dynasty that the figures became increasingly elaborate, brilliantly molded and decorated. Lavish funerals influenced the creation of ever more glorious tomb figures eventually resulting in a new law restricting the height and expense of these figures, as noted by Mario Prodan in The Art of the T'ang Potter, New York: The Viking Press, 1961, p. 64-66.
If you would like more information on this piece, please click here. |
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| View our Object Under Spotlight for June, 2004. | |||||
| View our Object Under Spotlight for March, 2003. Sold | |||||
| View our Object Under Spotlight for September, 2001. | |||||
| View our Object Under Spotlight for Aug, 2001. Sold | |||||
| View our Object Under Spotlight for July, 2001. | |||||
| View our Object Under Spotlight for May, 2001. | |||||
| View our Object Under Spotlight for March, 2001. | |||||
| View our Object Under Spotlight for February, 2001. | |||||
| Object Under Spotlight for January, 2001. Sold | |||||
| View our Object Under Spotlight for December, 2000. | |||||
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