Lot 211. A straw-glazed pottery figure of an earth spirit, Sui-early Tang dynasty, 6th-7th century; 15in. (38cm.) high. Estimate $3,000 - $5,000. Price Realized $5,019. © Christie's Image 2003

Modelled as a seated animal with spikes along the backbone and with the head of a human, the face well modelled with puckish features below prominent curving brows and curling hair continuing back into an arched crest, covered with a pale yellowish straw glaze, minute traces of pigment, wood stand 

Note: Tomb figures with pale yellowish or straw-colored glaze appeared in the Sui dynasty, and continued to be made in the early Tang dynasty until the advent of the brilliant three-color or sancai glaze. Compare the figure of this type with very similar human face in the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, illustrated by He Li, Chinese Ceramics, A New Comprehensive Survey, New York, 1996, no. 169. 

CHRISTIE'S. FINE CHINESE CERAMICS AND WORKS OF ART, 18 September 2003, New York, Rockefeller Plaza