Modeled with a pugnacious humanoid face flanked by large ears beneath hair arranged in a tall spiral, with a knobbed protrusion growing from the forehead, portrayed seated with front hoofs firmly planted on a rocky base, with feathered wings rising from the muscular shoulders and backed by wavy tongues of flame rising from the side, the powerful chest adorned with a collar and painted with foliate scrolls, the back with a serrated fin above a broad curved tail.

Provenance: Dragon Treasures Antique, 8 August 2005

Note:  The result of Oxford Authentication Ltd test sample no. C106g18 is consistent with the dating of this lot. 

A similar figure that was part of a pair was sold at Christie's, New York, 20 April 2018, lot 8.

A magnificent pair of painted pottery figures of Earth Spirits, zhenmushou, Tang dynasty (AD 618-907); 30 ¼ and 29 ½ in. (76.8 and 75 cm.) high. Sold for 250,000 USD at Christie's, New York, 20 April 2018, lot 8. © Christie's Images Ltd 2018