Lokapala Guardian King, one of a pair, late 7th-early 8th century, 44 9/16 x 15 1/2 x 11 1/2 in. (113.19 x 39.37 x 29.21 cm), Earthenware with molded and carved décor under polychrome pigments and gold, China, 7th-8th century, These magnificent Buddhist lokapalas or guardian kings originally served as tomb guardians in an aristocratic Tang burial. Wearing elaborate headdresses and armor, and with a fierce expression on their faces, each king tramples underfoot a demon clinging desperately to a rockwork base. Their clenched hands perhaps once held weapons. These tomb figures are particularly masterful in their combination of the arts of sculpture and painting. The superbly modeled face of each king reveals finely painted moustaches, eyebrows and other details. The exotic suits of armor featuring decorative breast plates, animal head ornaments, and elaborate helmets were once completely polychromed with red, pink, green, blue, white, and black pigments as well as gold. Painted tomb ceram