Winged porcine beast
Description
A square tile molded from reddish earthenware in high relief depicting a fierce, amber-glazed, winged porcine figure against an unglazed background framed by a raised green-glazed rim. The beast has a gaping mouth, white fangs, long sinuous red tongue, spiked mane, legs with three-taloned claws, bulging eyes shaded by thick brows, short three-part wing above the foreleg, and a raised tail. White pigment remains on the teeth, eyes, and ears; and traces of red are found on the tongue. Above the beast at the two corners are green-glazed cloud appliqués. Trace outlines of green glaze also indicate that the beast formerly clutched some appliqué object in its right front claw.
This tile belongs with two others in the museum's collection. One of the other tiles depicts a horse-beast with an eye and wing above its foreleg and is shown devouring an animal. The other shows a prancing demon with bulging eyes and flame-like wings that grasps a snake in its claws. These architectural tiles probably lined the walls or platform in a tomb, cave, or religious structure. At least twenty-four other tiles from the same set are known to survive, including fifteen (two from the same mold) in the Royal Ontario Museum collection. The meaning and iconography of the tiles remains to be determined, but the appearance of wings on almost all the beasts may identify them as early representations of sky or thunder spirits. Stylistic comparison of some of the demon figures to Northern Qi (550–577) stone relief carvings in the Xiangtangshan cave-temples suggest an early date, while the glazing technique may indicate a Tang dynasty (618–907) or later date. The range in dating is consistent with thermoluminescence testing, some based on from samples taken through the surface glaze.
Published References & Reproductions
Kaikodo Journal (Autumn 1996), no. 74b.
Rita Reif, "As Serene as a Teahouse in Kyoto," New York Times (Sunday, Oct. 13, 1996), H45.
Exhibited
PUAM Asian galleries, 1997–
