Chinese Tang Statue Analysis

With no name and created by an unknown artist, this stone statue was created in the 7th-8th century (during the Chinese Tang dynasty). As the intent behind this creation is unknown, other than it being a tomb guardian, the reasoning behind it caused a lot of intrigue. The most notable trait this sculpture possesses is the amount of different animals that it comprises of. The shape and the platform that the statue rests upon, as well as its mythological form give it a divine sense of self. Like all ancient statues, much of the colour has faded away. Colour itself is an important aspect in the representation of the figure, due to the symbology associated with each colour. For these reasons, the statue has a deeper meaning behind the way it is …show more content…
This statue's stand is quite peculiar. Its shape is essentially an outline of the sculpture’s shadow in prism form, with varying degrees of width. There are three different levels of width; the top is the widest, the middle is the thinnest and the bottom is in between. Instead of having a simple stand with consistent width, the artist chose to make something much more complex and difficult to sculpt. Around the base are a set of four holes; two under the hind legs of the statue, one in the front end and one under the right front leg. The orientation of the holes does not seem to follow any rules regarding their placement. The locations of the holes seem to be completely random and decided on a whim by the sculptor. Around each hole is a circular rippling pattern created by protruding rock lines. The pattern is similar to that of water ripples. By looking through each hole, it can be found out that the rock is completely hollow. Instead of solid rock, the artist chose to hollow out the stand. The unnecessary extra work indicates that it is a design choice made by the sculptor. Combining the asymmetrical shape, the random holes, and the texture of the surface as well as the hollowness of the stand suggests that the rock is a symbolic representation of a cloud. As clouds do not have any solid form, nor are they bound by any physical restraints, it could not have a concrete shape (i.e. square, triangle). The random …show more content…
Much of the statue's colour has faded away leaving it dirt brown, with the exception of the hair and support which are black. However, close inspection shows that small amounts of colour still exist. Around the creature’s spiked spine, tiny patches of mottled red can be seen. The same red can also be found on the tips of the ears, as well as on the cheeks of the statue's face. This indicates that the ears, face and body of the statue were covered in red. There is significance in the artist's choice of colouration for the body. Red is often associated with anger, as well as symbolizes strength and power. Moreover, having a red base would imply that the statue is tough and powerful. The spiked spine of the statue contains spots of a light blue/gray. Lacking a weapon, the closest tool that it could use to defend itself appears to be its spine, the tip of which resembles the blade of a sword. Resembling the steel silver colour, light blue/gray may have been intended to make the spine look more like a blade. Comparing the colours of the statue, light colouration of the blade contrasts with the deep red colour of the body. This brings emphasis that the weapon is real and deadly and that the statue is fully equipped to defend the tomb and its