Tomb guardian of Lokapala
8th - 9th century
Guardian Kings of the Four Directions, or Lokapala, were among the few Buddhist subjects incorporated into Chinese funerary iconography. This figure standing on top of a crouching deer probably represents Virupaksha, Guardian King of the West, both fearsome and wrathful. He was once painted in bright colors and gold. His raised left hand originally held a weapon, most likely a sword poised to strike evil spirits.
Earthenware with paint
35 7/8 x 18 1/2 x 6 7/8 in. (91.12 x 46.99 x 17.46 cm)
Overall h.: 45 3/8 in.
Eugene Fuller Memorial Collection
43.5
Provenance: Yamanaka & Co., Inc, United States, to 1942; [liquidation sale by Alien Property Custodian, Yamanaka & Co., Inc., 1943, lot 597]; purchased from Yamanaka Liquidation Sale by Seattle Art Museum, 1943