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Catalog Data

Medium:
Earthenware with copper- and iron-tinted and clear lead-silicate glazes
Dimensions:
H x W x D: 95.7 x 35.7 x 31.5 cm (37 11/16 x 14 1/16 x 12 3/8 in)
Type:
Sculpture
Origin:
Henan or Shaanxi province, China
Date:
ca. 700-740
Period:
Tang dynasty
Description:
Large, ceramic figure of a stylized demon/animal, perched on top of a high pedestal. Animal-like body rests on its back haunches, with straigh front legs freestanding. Lion-like head has four horns which rise up and out from the top. The head is surrounded by a mane of flame-like spikes. Large wings flare up and out from the upper body. Almost all of the figure is covered with polychrome glazes, typical of the Tang dynasty, yellow, green, brown, and white.
Provenance:
To 1965
J. T. Tai & Co., New York, NY [1]
From 1965 to 1987
Dr. Arthur M. Sackler (1913-1987), New York, New York, purchased from J. T. Tai & Co., New York, NY [2]
From 1987 to 1996
Estate of Arthur M. Sackler [3]
From 1996 to 1997
Else Jorgensen Sackler (1913-2000), by inheritance from the Estate of Arthur M. Sackler[4]
1997
The Arthur M. Sackler Foundation, New York, NY, gift of Else Jorgensen Sackler [5]
From 1997
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, gift of the Arthur M. Sackler Foundation, New York, NY [6]
Notes:
[1] See Provenance record from the Arthur M. Sackler Foundation faxed on March 31, 1997, copy in object file. J.T. Dealer No. YT-4861.
[2] See object file.
[3] See note 3.
[4] Else Sackler received the object from the Estate of Arthur M. Sackler in 1996. See Provenance record from the Arthur M. Sackler Foundation faxed on March 31, 1997, copy in object file.
[5] The object was gifted to the Arthur M. Sackler Foundation by Else Sackler in 1997. See Provenance record from the Arthur M. Sackler Foundation faxed on March 31, 1997, copy in object file. See also Curatorial Remark 3 in the object record with notes from Bruce Young dated Jan 29, 1997.
[6] See Acquisition Consideration Form, copy in object file.
Collection:
Arthur M. Sackler Collection
Exhibition History:
The Arts of China (November 18, 1990 to September 7, 2014)
Monsters, Myths and Minerals (September 28, 1987 to November 26, 1995)
Previous custodian or owner:
Mrs. Else Sackler (1913-2000)
The Arthur M. Sackler Collections Trust
Dr. Arthur M. Sackler (1913-1987)
J.T. Tai & Co. (established in 1950)
Arthur M. Sackler Foundation (founded 1965)
Topic:
Tang dynasty (618 - 907)  Search this
tomb  Search this
China  Search this
earthenware  Search this
Chinese Art  Search this
guardian  Search this
Credit Line:
Gift of The Arthur M. Sackler Foundation
Accession Number:
S1997.25
Restrictions & Rights:
Usage conditions apply
Related Online Resources:
Google Cultural Institute
See more items in:
Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Collection
Data Source:
Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
GUID:
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ye38206a8ed-7164-4423-a03e-9da1bbe4cb88
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:fsg_S1997.25