Artwork preview

Tomb guardian beast

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Tomb guardian beast by Unknown. A sculpture of a creature with the body of a lion and the head of a boar or similar animal. The creature stands on a rectangular base. It has a curled tail and four legs. The head is tilted upward with an open mouth showing teeth. The sculpture appears to be made of metal and has a weathered appearance with visible scratches and marks. The body has ridged stripes along the torso. The background of the image is dark, with a light source coming from the left side, casting a shadow to the right.

Artwork Details

Date
6th century
Medium
Earthenware with traces of pigment
Culture
China
Dimensions
600 × 450 px
Public Domain
Yes
Museum Record
View original
Palette