A pair of mold-made and glazed ceramic soldier figures dressed in heavy armor, standing guard upon an integral hexagonal pedestal. Both are elaborately clad in mountain style armor, including chest plates, lion head shoulder pads, lamellar waist panels, and tunics that hangs almost to their booted feet.

Tomb attendants like these are part of a class of artifacts called mingqi – sometimes known as “spirit utensils” or “vessels for ghosts.” They became popular in the Han Dynasty and would persist for several centuries. Alongside protective warriors were musicians, athletes, animals, and structures. Even though they were often mass produced, mingqi often show a high level of detail and naturalism. These were designed to assist the po, the part of the soul of the deceased that remained underground with the body while the hun, the other part of the soul, ascended.