Title
Tomb Guardian with Animal Head, early 700s. Creator: Unknown.
Caption
Tomb Guardian with Animal Head, early 700s. With their fierce expressions and exaggerated physical features, these two fantastic guardian creatures were intended to guard the entrance to a tomb, warding off evil as well as keeping the soul of the deceased from wandering. Known as "earth spirits" or qitou, they are markedly different in appearance: one has an animal face and a pair of antlers growing above its eyebrows; the other sports a human face with huge protruding ears and a short horn surrounded by fiery, twisting hair. Their many elongated spikes heighten the fearful intensity.
Credit line
Photo12/Heritage Images/Heritage Art
Reference
HRM19G16_074
Model release
NA
Property release
NA
License type
Rights managed
Available size
97,0Mb (4,6Mb) / 16,4in x 23,0in / 4911 x 6901 (300dpi)