China, probably Shaanxi province, Xi'an, Tang dynasty (618-907) / early 700s
Tomb Guardian with Human Face
The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs Tomb Guardian with Human Face as ceramic (China, probably Shaanxi province, Xi'an, Tang dynasty (618-907) · early 700s).
Cobalt blue glaze used on the head and chest was imported from the Middle East.
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The museum identifies this ceramic as glazed earthenware, sancai (three-color) ware.
The museum's collection notes: With their fierce expressions and exaggerated physical features, these two fantastic guardian creatures were intended to guard the entrance to a tomb, warding off evil as well as keeping the soul of the deceased from wandering. Known as "earth spirits" or qitou , this one sports a human face with huge protruding ears and a short horn surrounded by fiery, twisting hair; the other has an animal face and a pair of antlers growing above its eyebrows. Their many elongated spikes heighten the fearful intensity. Before tomb sculptures were placed in the tomb, they were carried through the streets in a funerary procession. Funerary gifts provided the
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The Cleveland Museum of ArtTomb Guardian with Human FaceOriginal explanation based on the sources above. Images carry their own reuse terms.