Lot 2. A grey pottery figure of an earth spirit, Northern Wei Dynasty (AD 386-534); 28cm (11in) high. Sold for £ 3,125 (€ 3,507). © Bonhams

The guardian beast modelled with body rearing up on its slender front legs, the grinning face staring forwards with mouth gaping open to show its fangs and lolling tongue, four arching crests running down the spine.

Provenance: Sotheby's New York, 22 March 2000, lot 83
A European private collection.

Note: Compare a related mythical tomb guardian illustrated by J.Ayers, Far Eastern Ceramics in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 1980, monochrome pl.33.