China, Henan province, Northern Dynasties period (386–581 CE) / 500s
Monster Face: Door Ring Holder (Pushou)
The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs Monster Face: Door Ring Holder (Pushou) as metalwork (China, Henan province, Northern Dynasties period (386–581 CE) · 500s).
Three rivet holes (one on the forehead and one by each limb) were used to nail the mask onto a door.
A CLOSER LOOK
The museum identifies this metalwork as gilt bronze.
The museum's collection notes: This gilt bronze Door Ring Holder is in the form of a monster head with curving horns, protruding eyes, three-clawed paws, curling beard, and flame-shaped hair. The tongue dangles from the mouth, in which the creature originally grasped a ring. While it had a practical function as a door knocker, the intimidating form could also frighten away both intruders and evil spirits.
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
The Cleveland Museum of ArtMonster Face: Door Ring Holder (Pushou)Original explanation based on the sources above. Images carry their own reuse terms.