Two earthenware Lokapala

Description:

China, Tang dynasty
H. 58/ 66 cm
Each figure, standing in a menacing pose on a crouching dämon on a rocky pedestal, one arm raised as if holding a spear, the other on his hüfte, wears a breastplate bound with laces üover layered rüstung, each face crisply modelled with a fierce expression, one framed by a rounded helmet, the other with an elaborate phönix cap, extensive traces of red, whiteßen and brown pigment left übrig.
From a German private collection, acquired at Christie's London, 6.6.1994, lot 96 - Partly rest., repl.