Is this fierce figure an earthly warrior or a demon spirit? Rendered with broad strokes of the brush in bold colors, he bares his teeth as if warning us to keep our distance. Possibly, he was painted in this manner to act as a kind of scarecrow, to frighten curious animals away from the contents of the vessel, which was buried as a grave offering. In the relentless face of time, his expression was not all that effective, for the pot is empty. Still, he continues to fulfill his duties even though we approach him with the friendliest of intentions.