A PAIR OF PAINTED POTTERY FIGURES OF EARTH SPIRITS, ZHENMU SHOU


Tang dynastyEach supported on a rockery base, one figure with a round bearded human face with fierce expression beneath spiraled hair dressed in a point fronted by a single horn flanked by large ears, the broad chest painted with floral patterns, seated on its haunches, the limbs ending in hooves; the other figure with a menacing beast-like face beneath a pair of antlers and large ears flanking a single horn and flaming mane, the shoulders painted with leopard spots, the right paw raised, the left clutching the head of a serpent, seated with one leg outstretched, each paw with three claws. 23 1/2in (59.6cm) high
|唐 陶加彩鎭墓獸一對Provenance A Private New York CollectionDragon Treasures Antique Ltd., 2005Note: the result of Oxford authentication Ltd. thermoluminescence test sample no. C106g10 is consistent with the dating of the second figure in this lot.A similar pair of figures is illustrated in The Silk Road - Treasures of Tang China, Singapore, 1991, p. 93, and a related pair was sold at Christie's, New York, 24 March 2004, lot 135.