Page 18 - Bonhams, Fine Chinese Art, London November 3, 2022

105 *
A VERY RARE LARGE SANCAI AND BLUE-GLAZED POTTERY
FIGURE OF A GUARDIAN
Tang Dynasty
The imposing guardian vividly modelled with an unglazed head bearing
a fierce expression, his right hand slightly raised and his left hand
resting on his hip and he tramples over a demon, clad in full armour
with masked horned epaulettes at the shoulder, splashed in blue,
amber, green and cream glazes.
76cm (30in) high.

£120,000 - 150,000
CNY940,000 - 1,200,000

唐 三彩藍釉天王像

Provenance: Christie’s New York, 27 November 1991, lot 291
An American private collection
Christie’s New York, 19 September 2014, lot 724

來源：紐約佳士得，1991年11月27日，拍品編號291
美國私人收藏
紐約佳士得，2014年9月19日，拍品編號724

The result of Oxford thermolumniscence test no. 566t37 is
consistent with the dating of this lot.

Oxford Authentication Ltd公司熱釋光檢測結果（編號566t37）顯示年
代與本拍品年代一致。

This imposing figure is remarkable for its fine modelling, masterful
application of glazes, and for the liberal use of the rare cobalt-blue
oxide, which was extremely expensive at the time as it was imported
from Central Asia. Not many sculptures produced during the Tang
dynasty are known to have incorporated cobalt blue in their sancai
glaze palette, and its use on this sculpture attests to the wealth of its
owner.

The Tang dynasty represents one of the richest chapters in the history
of ceramic art in China, when potters tested the limits of the medium
and ceramic wares began to be considered as an art form. At this
time, pottery figures of guardians, attendants, musicians, animals
and vessels became increasingly rich in ornamentation. These were
incorporated within a complex of furnishing aimed at presenting the
tomb occupants with a miniaturised universe where they were deemed
to continue their post-mortem existence. According to traditional
Chinese thought, ancestors were believed to be active participants in
the life of their living offspring, which they could positively influence if
provided with the correct necessities for their afterlife. See J.Rawson,
‘Chinese burial patterns: Sources of Information on Thought and
Beliefs’, in C.Renfrew and C.Scarre. eds., Cognition and Material
Culture: the Archaeology of Symbolic Storage, Cambridge, 1998,
pp.107-131. See also Ibid., ‘The Power of Images: the Model Universe
of the First Emperor and its Legacy’, in Historical Research, no.75,
May 2002, pp.123-154.

For details of the charges payable in addition to the final Hammer Price of each Lot
16 | BONHAMS please refer to paragraphs 7 & 8 of the Notice to Bidders at the back of the catalogue.