Tomb Guardians
Unknown Artist
early 700s
Medium
glazed earthenware, sancai (three-color) ware
Dimensions
part 1: 92.3 × 43.8 × 41.9 cm · part 2: 88.9 × 41 × 50.8 cm
Classification
Ceramic
Department
Chinese Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Gift of various donors to the department of Asian Art (by exchange)
Accession Number
2000.118
About this artwork
With fierce expressions, elongated spikes, and exaggerated physical features, these two fantastic 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 qitou, or earth spirits, both sculptures differ in appearance: one has an animal face, claws, and a pair of antlers; the other sports a human face with huge ears, hooves, and a short horn.