Artwork preview

Tomb guardian beast

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Ancient Chinese artwork titled "Tomb guardian beast" by unknown artist. The sculpture depicts a creature with a bull-like body oriented to the left. Two curved horns protrude from the top of the head; one points slightly forward and the other backward. The body features a long, curved tail that extends upward. The sculpture shows significant wear and tear, with visible signs of aging and deterioration. The background transitions from dark at the top to light at the bottom.

Artwork details

Date:
5th–6th century
Medium:
Northern Wei dynasty (386–534)
Culture:
China
Dimensions:
600 × 476 px
Museum record:
View original
Palette