#zhenmushou

[blondebrainpowered]

Ceramic sculpture of a tomb guardian beast (zhenmushou) with tricolor glaze. Shaanxi, China, Tang dynasty, around 900 AD.

[yebreed]

Bird, Tiger, Serpents and a Pair of Antlers: Warring States Art Device

Another remarkable sur of the pre-Taoist period.

The sculptural group is dominated by a mighty Bird, whose wings are complemented by antlers. Some have rashly classified it as the Phoenix, according to another version it is a Crane. However, I would warn against light-minded ornithological typing. The thumbnail Tiger serves as a pedestal for the Bird, pressing two serpentine bodies with its paws. The coiled snakes are devouring a pair of fliers.

The artifact may turn out to be a drum stand common at the time. Other figurines of antlered birds standing on tigers are known. This common motif unites the spiritual animals of the Lower and Upper Worlds. The amalgamous zoomorphic imagery is probably of shamanic origin.

Antlered and winged beings were also a widespread pattern in depiction of the zhenmushou (鎮墓獸), tomb guardians. The solemn or ferocious creatures served as the owner's spiritual animals in the afterlife and guides on the ascent to Heavens.

The entire lacquered wood sculpture group is painted black with subtle gold and red ornamentation. The object was unearthed from the Tomb No. 1 in Jiuliandun (九連墩1號墓), Zaoyang, Hubei. Now it is in Hubei Provincial Museum (湖北省族館).

Photo: ©湖北省族館

[theancientwayoflife]

~ Tomb Guardian Creature (Zhenmushou). Date: ca. A.D. 740  Culture: Chinese Period: Tang dynasty (A.D. 618–907) Medium: Earthenware with traces of pigment.

[theancientwayoflife]

~ Tomb Guardian (Zhenmushou). Period: Northern Wei (386–534)–Northern Qi (550–577) dynasty Date: mid-to-late 6th century Culture: China Medium: Earthenware with pigment

[deadwolfonfire]

漠

[historic-mysteries]

Zhenmushou, Tomb Guardian. Tang dynasty, mid 8th century. Princeton University Art Museum.

https://www.historicmysteries.com/

[pandaemoniumpancakes]

Zhenmushou (tomb guardian), China, dans l’exhibition Enfers＆ Fantômes d’Asie (May 18, 2018), Musée du Quai Branly. 

[mooraboolantiques]

#Rudolf ? No, it’s our #Zhenmushou Guardian Beast in disguise, getting into the #ChristmasSpirit! He’s #Chinese #TangDynasty (AD 618–907) part of our extensive range of #Antiquities at Moorabool. None Christmas themed, though- they’re mostly ‘BC’ 😆! #mooraboolantiques #moorabool_antiques #geelong #antiques #antiquesaustralia #aaada #antiqueshop #antiquedealersofinstagram #antiquesarecool #antique_interior #interiordesign #decorating #centralgeelong #VisitGeelong #VisitGeelongBellarine #ChineseAntiquity #ChinesePottery #ChristmasFun #Tinsel #TinselHair (at Moorabool Antique Galleries) https://www.instagram.com/moorabool_antiques/p/Bri4IhzHmsX/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1rrrgrmlx89o6