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Exhibition Name
Tomb guardian animal statues
- Nationality/Period
Northern and Southern Dynasties Period
- Materials
Clay - Soft
- Category
life in society - life in ceremony - funeral services - ancient grave goods
- Dimensions
H. 27.5cm
- Accession Number
Gu 4257
- Location
China Gallery
These beast-like figurines are funerary objects that were buried in a grave with the body of its occupant to guard it against evil forces. The tradition of burying the tomb guardian can be traced back to the kingdom of Chu during the Warring States Period (403-221 BCE), where people followed the practice of burying a wooden animal with antlers with the deceased. The tomb guardians during the Southern and Northern Dynasties Period had the appearance of cute animals with three to four manes at the back.
