Spirit guardian, one of a pair

Place of OriginHenan province or Hebei province, China; Henan province or Hebei province

Dateapprox. 500-534

DynastyNorthern Wei dynasty (386-534)

MaterialsEarthenware with painted decoration

DimensionsH. 10 in x W. 5 1/8 in x D. 7 1/2 in, H. 25.4 cm x W. 13.0 cm x D. 19.0 cm

Credit LineThe Avery Brundage Collection

Object numberB64P17

DepartmentChinese Art

ClassificationsCeramics

On View

On view

Location

Text Entries

Object Label

Spiny backed and almost comical in their demeanor, these figures were meant to protect the tomb from unwanted visitors.

approx. 500-534

618-907

approx. 690-750

approx. 690-750

618-907

618-907

approx. 2300-2000 BCE

581-618

approx. 3300-2000 BCE

265-317

approx. 2600-2300 BCE

approx. 4800-3700 BCE