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China, Hebei province, northern Xiangtangshan caves, North cave, Northern Qi dynasty (550-577) / 550–77

Kneeling Winged Monster

The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs Kneeling Winged Monster as sculpture (China, Hebei province, northern Xiangtangshan caves, North cave, Northern Qi dynasty (550-577) · 550–77).

WHY IT’S INTERESTING

The hunched monster has three-fingered hands, four square teeth in center of its mouth, and two pairs of pointed teeth on either side.

SERENDIPITYA little unexpected

FamiliarWeird

A CLOSER LOOK

The museum identifies this sculpture as limestone.

The museum's collection notes: This kneeling monster from the cave-temple complex at Xiangtangshan was originally placed below some wall niches on the perimeter. With its grotesque face and body, it is among the most imaginative sculptures of the period.

FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE

The Cleveland Museum of ArtKneeling Winged Monster

Original explanation based on the sources above. Images carry their own reuse terms.