Lokapala

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Lokapala

Culture: Chinese

Period: Tang dynasty

Dynasty: Tang

Date: 618-906

Medium: Earthenware with Sancai glaze

Dimensions:

h. 52 3/4 in. (134 cm); w. 24 1/4 in. (61.6 cm); d. 13 1/2 in. (34.3 cm)

Credit Line: San Antonio Museum of Art, gift of Lenora and Walter F. Brown

Object number: 2013.38.6

Label Text

Indian Lokapala were introduced to China through Buddhism and came to be known as tianwang, or "Heavenly Kings." The fearsome pairs were protectors in Tang dynasty tombs. These exceptionally large and well-modeled lokapala are partially covered in sancai glaze, but their heads and phoenix crowns are unglazed; these would have been painted, and some pigments remain intact. Both lokapala wear finely-detailed armor with the heads of makara-mythical crocodilian creatures-at the sleeves. The figure on the left wears a waistcloth of flayed elephant skins.

This lokapala was molded in sections and fashioned together before firing. Air holes on the bases and other areas allow for heat to circulate in the kiln, minimizing the risk of an explosion.

(Label text, October 2014)

On view

The San Antonio Museum of Art is in the process of digitizing its permanent collection. This electronic record was created from historic documentation that does not necessarily reflect SAMA's complete or current knowledge about the object. Review and updating of such records is ongoing.

Artwork

Lokapala

Lokapala