A Rare and Elegant Straw-Glazed Pottery Figure of a Cloaked Military Official, Early Tang Dynasty, Early 7th Century, China H 18× W 6 × D 5 cm A finely modelled straw-glazed pottery figure of a military official, dating to the early Tang dynasty, early 7th century. The figure stands upright in a dignified and composed posture, wearing a distinctive tall rounded headdress and a long, enveloping cloak that falls gracefully from the shoulders towards the lower legs. The elongated proportions and restrained modelling reflect the refined and solemn character of early Tang figurative sculpture. The face is delicately modelled, with gently arched eyebrows, narrow downcast eyes, a prominent straight nose, softly defined lips and a rounded chin, conveying a calm yet authoritative expression. The distinctive headdress features a high, rounded crown with long pendant elements descending on either side towards the chest, adding an attractive and unusual detail to the composition. The military official holds his hands before his chest, with the right hand enclosing the clenched left fist. A small opening at the top of the hands suggests that the figure originally held a separately made attribute, possibly a ceremonial staff or another object, now missing. This distinctive gesture reinforces the formal and dignified character of the figure. The figure wears a broad, cloak-like outer garment, with long sleeves falling naturally along the sides. The cloak opens at the front to reveal the inner garments and lower trousers. The flowing contours of the cloak contrast with the simplified vertical folds of the underlying clothing, creating a harmonious balance between sculptural volume and linear elegance. Despite its relatively small size of 18 cm, the figure possesses a remarkably strong and dignified sculptural presence. Particularly attractive is the extensive survival of the pale straw-coloured glaze, displaying a soft, creamy yellowish tone with subtle variations in colour and a gentle surface lustre. Areas of glaze loss reveal the greyish-brown to reddish-brown pottery body beneath, creating a pleasing contrast with the surviving glaze. Natural surface patina, earthen deposits and subtle colour variations further enhance the ancient character of the piece. The reverse is simply and confidently modelled, with the cloak falling naturally from the shoulders to form a gently curved silhouette. Several incised lines indicate the construction of the headdress, while a subtle vertical line extends down the back of the garment. The underside reveals the hollow construction characteristic of early Chinese pottery figures. Early Tang figurative sculpture inherited important artistic traditions from the preceding Sui and late Northern and Southern Dynasties, while gradually developing a more naturalistic and expressive treatment of the human form. Representations of military officials reflect the importance of official rank, distinctive dress and ceremonial bearing in the society of the period. Such figures provide valuable insight into the clothing traditions, artistic conventions and cultural identity of early Tang China. The present figure displays several characteristic features of the transitional sculptural style between the Sui and early Tang periods, particularly its elongated proportions, restrained posture, simplified drapery and solemn facial expression. These qualities illustrate the gradual development towards the increasingly naturalistic and dynamic sculptural traditions of the Tang dynasty. An especially appealing example of early Tang pottery sculpture, distinguished by its unusual cloak-like garment, distinctive rounded headdress, formal hand gesture and beautifully preserved straw-coloured glaze. The harmonious proportions, restrained modelling and elegant silhouette give this figure a compelling artistic presence and considerable decorative and collectable appeal. See a similar example in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, accession no. C.452-1920: https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O180975/figure-unknown/ Condition: Overall in good condition considering its age and the nature of the ceramic material. The surface shows age-related wear, abrasions, natural glaze flaking and localised losses, particularly along the cloak, lower garments and raised details. Areas of earthen deposits, firing irregularities and natural surface discolouration are also visible. Minor chips and losses are present around the feet and lower edges. The underside is hollow, with expected wear and small chips around the opening and foot edges. The separately held attribute, originally positioned within the opening between the hands, is now missing. The figure remains structurally stable, with no obvious major modern restoration visible. Please carefully examine all photographs, as they form an integral part of the condition report. Shipping worldwide by EMS, usually 7–14 days to deliver, depending on destination and customs clearance. Authenticity Guarantee This item is accompanied by a signed Certificate of Authenticity. Catawiki disclaimer: This object has been dated based on style by the seller . No further tests, such as, a TL test, analysis of pigments or radiography scans have been conducted to check the integrity of the piece.