TANG DYNASTY (618–907) Height 59 cm -Premium Authenticity Guarantee – Becker Antiques (Established 1966) This is a high-value artwork, selected with the utmost care by Becker Antiques, a gallery founded in 1966 and based in a historic five-storey mansion in Amsterdam’s Museum Quarter. Every premium piece we offer undergoes a rigorous authentication process based on nearly 60 years of specialist expertise. This includes: • Detailed stylistic and typological analysis • Assessment of condition, surface, and age-related characteristics • Comparative research with museum and literature examples We guarantee that this object is genuine, original, and exactly as described, with no modern, altered, or assembled elements unless clearly mentioned in the listing. Becker Antiques is trusted by museums, collectors, and institutions worldwide. Each premium item is chosen for its authenticity, historical integrity, and exceptional quality. For serious collectors or institutions wishing to receive additional documentation, we are always happy to assist. -Scientific Authentication – TL Test This pottery item has been authenticated using Thermoluminescence Testing (TL), the internationally recognized scientific method for dating fired ceramic materials. The TL analysis confirms that: • The pottery body was fired in antiquity • The material corresponds to the stated historical period • No modern firing or reconstruction is detected (unless noted) A copy of the TL report (including test number, graph, and laboratory details) accompanies the object and is available for review upon request. TL testing provides independent scientific verification and is an important standard used by museums and serious collectors worldwide. This imposing sancai-glazed Lokapala is modeled with striking authority, standing in a commanding pose with one hand raised and the other resting confidently at his hip. The figure is rendered with exceptional sculptural power, his broad chest and armoured cuirass swelling outward beneath a dramatic cascade of rich amber, green, and cream glazes. The size—an impressive 59 cm in height—places this example among the largest and most visually impactful lokapala figures produced during the Tang dynasty. The armour is masterfully detailed, decorated with raised bosses and swirling motifs characteristic of high-ranking guardian figures. The sancai glaze is of notably fine quality: thick, glossy, and fluid, with vibrant colours that flow and pool naturally over the relief. The tunic displays bold green and amber streaking, with the pigments merging in soft transitions that demonstrate expert kiln control. Such lush and confident glazing marks the present figure as belonging to the upper tier of Tang sancai production. The face is powerfully modelled with a fierce expression, raised brows, full cheeks, and tightly pursed lips enhanced with traces of red pigment. The helmet retains clear contours and original pigment layers, now softly abraded but still conveying the original presence of the figure. The body stands atop a long, columnar base, the lower robes left unglazed in the traditional manner, providing a dramatic contrast to the jewel-like sancai upper section. Lokapala figures (heavenly guardians) were positioned to protect the tomb and its occupants from malevolent forces. The present example exemplifies the most impressive type: tall, muscular, commanding, and glazed with the richest palette available to Tang funerary workshops. Its scale, condition, and glaze quality place it firmly within the corpus of high-status tomb furnishings made for elite patronage. The back of the figure retains extensive original glaze and detailing, further underscoring the completeness and rarity of this example. Surviving large lokapalas with such bold coloration, crisp modelling, and fine preservation are increasingly scarce on the market. Provenance: Old Private Dutch Collection, acquired before 1992. Guarantee Guaranteed to be Tang Dynasty, legally acquired and legal to buy and sell under all applicable cultural patrimony laws. A Certificate of Authenticity from Becker Antiques, Amsterdam (specialists in Chinese pottery since 1969), accompanies the piece. Shipping The figure will be professionally packed and dispatched in a custom wooden crate within three working days, shipped by FedEx with full insurance. Condition Note: In exceptionally fine condition for its age. No visible restorations or repairs detected. The sancai glaze remains rich and glossy with expected minor age-related wear and small areas of surface flaking to the slip, particularly to the head. The unglazed lower section shows typical minor abrasions to the edges. Overall, a remarkably well-preserved and completely original example.