China - Pair Of Lokapalas - Tang Dynasty - Tl

This remarkable pair of funerary sculptures depicts two Lokapalas, warrior deities charged with protecting the cardinal directions and the world of men from the forces of chaos. Monumental in their presence and energy, these figures embody the martial power and spiritual vigilance characteristic of funerary iconography from the early Tang dynasty. Each guardian is portrayed in a dynamic pose, their body slightly swayed, their posture tense with the exertion of combat. Their broad chests, wide shoulders, and powerful limbs emphasize a will to dominate, both physically and symbolically. Beneath their feet, a demon is crushed, reduced to a grotesque and submissive figure, powerfully expressing the victory of dharma over evil forces. This explicit iconography reinforces the apotropaic function of the ensemble: to prevent any malicious intrusion into the funerary domain and to guarantee the peace of the deceased's soul. The highly expressive faces feature accentuated features: bulging eyes, pronounced brow ridges, and mouths contorted in a grimace of contained anger. This controlled violence is characteristic of the wrathful deities of the Tang period, protective rather than destructive. One of the Lokapalas is distinguished by a helmet adorned with a mythical animal or bird, accentuating the deliberate asymmetry of the pair, a fundamental principle in the representation of celestial guardians. Each object is accompanied by a thermoluminescence test, confirming the authenticity of the dating. Origin: China. Period: Tang Dynasty (618–907). Dimensions: Height: 58 cm and 66 cm. Condition: Very good overall condition. Old wear and losses, visible chips and erosion, particularly on the projections. Residual traces of slip and polychromy. Provenance: Formerly in a German collection, acquired at Christie's London, June 6, 1994, lot 96.