Ancient Chinese, Tang Dynasty Terracotta Μία σπάνια ζωγραφισμένη πήλινη φιγούρα κυρίας της αυλής - 23 cm

Μια σπάνια βαμμένη κεραμική μορφή γυναικείου αυλωναρίου

Κινέζικη δυναστεία Τανγκ, 618–907
Ύψος: 23 εκ.

Η élégant standing female figure is finely modelled with a slender elongated body, the hands held gracefully before the waist, wearing a long flowing robe falling to the feet. The surface retains extensive traces of original cold-painted decoration over a pale slip, including green, red, dark burgundy, black and white pigments. The upper garment is painted in deep reddish-burgundy tones, the lower robe in green and white with red linear accents, and the hair is picked out in black with traces of pale pigment and burial accretions.

The face is delicately rendered with a calm, refined expression, small features and softly rounded contours, characteristic of Tang courtly taste. The hair is arranged in an elaborate double-loop coiffure, the two high lobes framing the head and giving the figure a particularly elegant silhouette. The back preserves strong red pigment on the jacket and green pigment on the lower robe. The hollow underside is visible, consistent with Tang pottery tomb figures.

Provenance:
Eduard Pranner, Oriental Art, Amsterdam
Private collection, acquired from the above

Condition:
With age-related surface wear, losses to pigment, burial encrustation, minor chips and abrasions, as expected for Tang painted pottery. The pigments appear unusually well preserved, especially the green, red/burgundy and black areas. A

Catalogue Note

This charming figure belongs to the tradition of Tang dynasty mingqi, funerary pottery figures made for placement in elite tombs. Such figures represented the refined world of court life, including attendants, musicians, dancers, polo players, officials, horses and guardians. Court ladies are among the most desirable Tang tomb figures because they express the cosmopolitan luxury and sophistication of the Tang capital culture.

The present example is especially attractive because of its small, commercial size, refined modelling and strong survival of pigment. Many Tang figures of court ladies are larger, often 35–55 cm high, while smaller examples of around 20–25 cm with good colour and elegant modelling are very easy to place with collectors because they are decorative, affordable compared with large sancai figures, and display well in a cabinet.

The coiffure is one of the most appealing features. The high double-loop hairstyle relates to Tang court fashion and is comparable to examples described by major auction houses as figures with hair arranged in a high double chignon or crescent-shaped coiffure. Christie’s describes comparable Tang court ladies with delicate facial features picked out in black and red pigment and elaborate coiffures; Sotheby’s and Bonhams likewise emphasize the desirability of surviving pigment, elegant robe modelling and carefully dressed hair in Tang painted pottery court ladies.

The present figure is not merely a generic tomb figure: the survival of multiple original colours — green, red, burgundy, black and white — gives it strong visual presence. The dark painted hair, pale face, red jacket and green robe create a very pleasing Tang palette. The hollow base, burial surface and mineral accretions are also consistent with the construction and archaeological appearance expected in Tang earthenware figures.

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Shipping:
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