Tomb figure of a guardian

Historical period(s)
Tang dynasty, early 8th century
Medium
Earthenware with pigment
Dimensions
H x W x D (a - figure): 59.6 x 22.1 x 15.7 cm (23 7/16 x 8 11/16 x 6 3/16 in)
Geography
China
Credit Line
Gift of Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art
Accession Number
F1968.41a-b
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Ceramic, Sculpture
Type

Tomb figure: guardian

Keywords
China, earthenware, Tang dynasty (618 - 907)
Provenance

From at least the 1950s to 1968
Eugene Meyer (1875-1959) and Agnes E. Meyer (1887-1970), Washington, DC and Mt. Kisco, NY, from at least the 1950s [1]

From 1968
Freer Gallery of Art, given by Agnes E. Meyer in 1968 [2]

Notes:

[1] An undated photograph, depicting Eugene and Agnes Meyer at their Mt. Kisco house in the 1950s, shows the sculpture together with F1968.42a-b standing on the fireplace mantel, see the Agnes Meyer papers, Library of Congress, call no. PR CN 1975:127. The photograph has been reproduced in Merlo J. Pusey, Eugene Meyer (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1974), opposite p. 337.

[2] The object is included in Agnes E. Meyer’s Deed of Gift, listed as no. 1 together with F1968.42 in the document’s Annex, dated July 24, 1967, copy in object file.

Previous Owner(s) and Custodian(s)

Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer (1875-1959) and (1887-1970)

Published References
  • Oriental Ceramics: The World's Great Collections. 12 vols., Tokyo. vol. 10, pl. 21.
  • Thomas Lawton. Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer Memorial Exhibition. Exh. cat. Washington, 1971. cat. 19, pp. 38-39.
Collection Area(s)
Chinese Art
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
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