Rare Painted Pottery Tomb Guardian & Earth Spirit Statue, China

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Detail:  This is styled after earth spirits circa 618 – 907 AD.  These pottery tomb guardians usually had an animal’s body and face.  This particular statue has a human face and the long spiky horn and stretched winds – supposedly making it extremely fearsome.  Tomb guardians were placed in ancient tombs to guard against evil and protect the soul from the dead so they may ascent to the afterlife without hindrance.  Age unknown but most likely mid-1900’s.  Very good condition.