Lokapala torso (tianwang)
| Accession Nr.: | 9799 |
|---|---|
| Type: | sculpture; funeral object; pottery |
| Date of production: |
First half of 8th century
Tang dynasty |
| Place of production: |
| Materials: | clay; earthenware |
|---|---|
| Techniques: | stamped; with traces of paint |
| Dimensions: | height: 36.6 cm width: 28.6 cm |
Depending on regulations on size and decoration, a usual technique of producing a burial figure was to make several moulded pieces and paste them together with slip before firing. Large-sized fired pieces (such as lokapala [Sanskrit: “gate-keeper”] figures) were often decorated with carved patterns.
The red-fired earthenware lokapala is placing his left hand on his hip; in his right he probably carried a spear. His grim-visaged face is framed with a wedge-shape headdress that holds his hair together. His upper body is covered by an armour whose shape shows similarity with contemporary pieces.
The red-fired earthenware lokapala is placing his left hand on his hip; in his right he probably carried a spear. His grim-visaged face is framed with a wedge-shape headdress that holds his hair together. His upper body is covered by an armour whose shape shows similarity with contemporary pieces.