Ancient Chinese

China – Tang Dynasty (618–907), c. 700–750 CE. Court lady / funerary terracotta figurine, polychrome mingqi. Elegant Chinese funerary figure made in molded terracotta, representing a court lady or attendant standing. The figure adopts a frontal, serene posture, with arms folded and hands hidden beneath the wide sleeves at waist height. She wears a long robe that descends to form a widened base, while the neckline is defined by a fine reddish band in the shape of a V. The face, with soft features and restrained expression, is framed by a dark coiffure, still clearly distinguished by traces of black pigmentation. The surface retains abundant vestiges of white slip, as well as traces of red, black and gray pigments, especially visible on the clothing and hair. The figure belongs to the mingqi tradition, funerary objects placed in the tombs of Chinese elites to symbolically reproduce their domestic environment, retinue and attendants in the afterlife. Tang female figures also constitute an important testimony to the fashion and sophisticated court culture of the period. The Metropolitan and Cleveland preserve very close examples of Tang ladies and funerary attendants with white slip and residual polychromy. Material: terracotta with slip and remnants of polychromy. Origin: China. Period: Tang dynasty, probably ca. 700–750 CE. Dimensions: 25.5 × 12.5 × 5 cm. Condition: archaeological conservation, with general wear to the slip and polychromy, earthy deposits, abrasions, small surface losses and age-related cracks. The lower opening allows observing the hollow construction of the figure. It preserves a noticeable amount of original pigment. Catawiki disclaimer: This object has been dated based on style by the seller. No further tests, such as TL dating, C14 dating, lapidary tests, analysis of pigments or radiography scans have been conducted to check the piece's integrity.

Estimate:$730.41

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