A Set of Three Zodiac Attendant Figures

Tang Dynasty, China, 618–907 CE Rare set of three yellow pottery zodiac attendant figures retaining traces of original white pigment. Each sculpture combines an animal head with a robed human body, reflecting the cosmological symbolism and spiritual beliefs associated with Tang funerary art. Created as mingqi burial objects, these figures were placed within tombs to protect and serve the deceased in the afterlife. Their stylized forms, expressive features, and elegant vertical silhouettes embody the imagination and skill of Tang Dynasty sculptors.