Lokapala and Officials

University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology
#C402, C401, C403

Location: China, Henan Province, Qinghuazhan

Glazed Pottery

8th Century Tang Dynasty 618 AD - 906 AD

Ceramic figures were placed intombs during the Tang Dynasty. Center is lokapala or celestial guardian king defeats evil by standing on a demon. Lokapalas were associated with the cardinal directions (North, South, East, West) which held significance to emperors who sought to become universal rulers. The image is of two court officials flank the lokapala.