Artwork preview

Tomb guardian beast (Zhenmushou)

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Tomb guardian beast (Zhenmushou) by unknown artist. The sculpture depicts a creature with a tall, pointed protrusion on top of its head. The creature has a stern expression with a thick beard and mustache. Its ears are large and pointed. It has a large body with a prominent chest and muscular legs. The creature's arms appear to be raised. The sculpture appears to be made of stone or metal and has a weathered appearance. The background is dark gray, transitioning to black at the top.

Artwork Details

Date
late 7th–8th century
Medium
Earthenware with three color (sancai) glaze
Culture
China
Dimensions
433 × 625 px
Public Domain
Yes
Museum Record
View original
Palette