Zodiacal Figurine of a Boar

This figurine of the zodiac was excavated from the lining of the tomb of General Kim Yu-sin. The lower bed of the tomb is surrounded by stone engravings of the Twelve Deities dressed in common clothes. It is quite rare for an entire set of the Twelve Deities made of agalmatolite to have been buried outside the tomb. This piece represents the boar (or pig) from among the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac, and horse and rabbit statues were also discovered there. The boar stands atop a rocky pedestal, clad in armor and brandishing weapons, like a warrior. Edgewise, this engraving is elaborately detailed, with much emphasis on volume. The head is turned to the right, and the mouth is open, revealing sharp canine teeth. The long sleeves and the Heavenly Ribbons appear to be flapping in the wind in animated fashion.