TOMB GUARDIAN FIGURE, Gray earthenware with slip and pigments, pair, Northern Qi dynasty, Ancient (3rd–12th centuries)

This is a pair of decorated tomb guardian figures from the Northern Qi dynasty.
Comprising a human-faced and a beast-faced figure, both are depicted with their front legs extended and their hind legs folded, gazing gently forward.
The human-faced figure features prominent ears, large eyes, and a softly smiling mouth, while the beast-faced figure presents a gentle lion visage with a wide mouth, pronounced nose, and small upright ears, exuding a serene presence. The condition of both figures is commendable; the human-faced figure retains nearly its complete form, while the beast-faced figure has been repaired at the base and exhibits some loss of mane. This exceptionally rare pair of tomb guardian figures from the Northern Qi dynasty would make a remarkable addition to any collection or display.