East Asia, China, Tang Dynasty, ca. 618 to 907 CE. An intriguing mold-formed pottery head of a tomb guardian. The face is modeled with a fierce expression, with a large nose and flared nostrils, bulging eyes, a furrowed brow, full cheeks, a rounded chin, and a gaping mouth comprising the dramatic countenance. The head dons a tight-fitting cap with a grooved facial border, a smooth cap portion, and a reinforced verso, all terminating at an arching nubbin. Both face and helmet bear extensive remains of red and white pigmentation, black-penciled lashes, eye brows, and mustache, and traces of gilding around the facial border. Hundreds of pottery figures with heads like this example were carefully placed in the tombs of high-ranking individuals during the Tang period; one of the most interesting things about them is that they oftentimes represented individuals and were not mass-produced. Size: 5.125" W x 7.75" H (13 cm x 19.7 cm).

This item hammered for $2,400 at Sotheby's, New York "Fine Chinese Ceramics, Works of Art and Paintings" Auction (December 07, 1983, lot 152)

Provenance: private Texas, USA collection; ex-Sotheby’s, New York, December 07, 1983 "Fine Chinese Ceramics, Works of Art and Paintings" Auction, lot 152

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#137853

Head is repaired from multiple large pieces with some areas of restoration, small chips, resurfacing, and light adhesive residue along break lines. Surface wear and abrasions commensurate with age, small chips to base, face, and helmet, fading and losses to pigmentation and gilding, and light roughness across most surfaces. Nice earthen deposits and traces of pigmentation throughout.