Collection
 |
China
- Title
- Tomb guardian figure
- Place of origin
-
China
- Period
- Tang dynasty 618 - 907 → China
- Year
- 7th century
- Media category
- Ceramic
- Materials used
- earthenware, unglazed with traces of pigment
- Dimensions
-
29.8 x 12.1 x 9.0cm
- Signature & date
- Not signed. Not dated.
- Credit
- Gift of Graham E. Fraser 1986
- Accession number
- 169.1986
- Location
- Not on display
- Further information
In the pottery tomb figure tradition the category of guardian figures is one of the largest and most significant. This semi-human semi-mythical beast is generally identified as a 'qito', a formalised guise of the devil-clearing mask worn at New Year ceremonies. Such images were placed in the corners of tombs to repel evil spirits.
Asian Art Dept., AGNSW, August 1986.
