Untitled

Unknown

7th–9th century · Gold foil and silver · Asian Art

The ferocious face seen on this saddle pommel would have protected the rider by warding off evil. Such imagery came out of South Asia, where similar kirtimukha figures adorned temple doors and were understood to devour time and, by implication, all things.

Artist

Unknown

Date

7th–9th century

Medium

Gold foil and silver

Culture

China (Xinjiang Autonomous Region, Central Asia)

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Purchase, Gift of Elizabeth V. Cockcroft, by exchange, 2006