Figura de tomba d'oficial de cort

This figure is from a Tang dynasty tomb. Modelled on the Buddhist "Heavenly Kings" (tian wang) and used in accordance with pre-Buddhist beliefs about the afterworld, Lokapala guardians were generally placed in pairs at the entrance of Buddhist temples and tombs to stop evil spirits from entering. Accompanying the Lokapala, tombs often included other figures such as courtiers, assistants, merchants, horses, camels, etc., whose function was to assist the deceased person in the afterlife.