Zhenmushou 鎮墓獸 (tomb guardians),

ca. mid–8th century

In the Tang dynasty, tomb-guarding beasts, or zhenmushou, were intended to quell malevolent spirits seeking to harm the deceased. Set on rocky plinths, this superbly preserved pair of ferocious, hybrid creatures clutch snakes while subduing animal demons in the forms of a deer and a winged boar. Their vividly colored clothes feature a central, vertical band of peony flowers, framed on both sides by additional floral bands painted on a silver ground. Fur pelts are painted on their backs. Slits along their arms may originally have held slats of undulating flames. The Princeton tomb guardian with an upraised arm is similar enough to a figure in a private collection (photo at left) to suggest that they may have been produced in the same workshop. A third tomb guardian, in the Kimbell Art Museum, Fort Worth (photo at right), shares their style but is taller and more elaborate.

Comparative images:

(left)
Tang dynasty (618–907), China
Zhenmushou 鎮墓獸 (tomb guardian), ca. mid–8th century
Earthenware with silver, gold, and painted decoration, h. 60 cm.
Private collection

(right)
Tang dynasty (618–907), China
Zhenmushou 鎮墓獸 (tomb guardian), ca. mid–8th century
Earthenware with silver, gold, and painted decoration, 79.1 x 19.2 x 28.5 cm.
Kimball Art Museum, Fort Worth, Texas