11Story

22 January 2010

Earth spirit

 

Figure of an earth spirit. Maker/artist unknown. China, probably Henan province 728 (Tang dynasty) Photograph. Original green and brown glazed earthenware. H. 96 cm © Trustees of the British Museum 1936, 1012.225 Photographer Michael Row.

One of two figures described as earth spirits among a group of thirteen tomb images, all of which, at or just inside the entrance to a main burial chamber, are supposed to have protected the deceased from malevolent forces.    In figures such as this one, with ferocious facial expressions on human-like heads together with claws and weapons, intended function seems obvious from appearance. Other figures, such as Confucian officials, probably confirmed the status of the deceased to those presiding over the afterlife.

 
 
 

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