Chinese Tang tomb figures Northern China, about AD 728 Download
this video to watch in your favourite media player, or to view
this video online please install the Flash player About one
metre high, these are among the tallest known burial figures
from the Tang dynasty (AD 618-906). They come from the tomb of
Liu Tingxun, an important official. The group comprises two
fabulous beasts (one with a human face), two fierce lokapala,
guardian figures usually seen at the entrance to temples, and in
the centre, two officials, one military, one civil. The military
official has armour over his green robe and a bird of prey on
his hat. Figures of horses, camels and grooms from the same tomb
group are also on display in the British Museum. They are
reputed to be from the tomb of Liu Tingxun, an important
military commander who died in AD 728. The memorial tablet found
with these figures records his skill in military matters and the
arts of statesmanship, and that he died at the age of 72. It is
interesting that all the