Ancient Chinese, Tang Dynasty Painted Pottery Figure of a Seated Female Musician Circa 8th century AD This elegant mould-made pottery figure shows a lady seated on a square base with the legs folded beneath a spreading skirt, the upper body upright and the hands holding cymbals, dressed in a close-fitting jacket over a full, bell-shaped robe and with the hair arranged in a high topknot. Mingqi, literally "spirit articles", are purpose-made funerary objects placed in tombs to provide for the needs of the deceased in the afterlife. They range from models of architecture, utensils and livestock to human figures representing officials, guardians, servants, dancers and musicians, intended to supply the tomb owner with attendants, protection and entertainment. A similar example can be found in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Object Number: 23.180.6. Dimensions: 25cm x 15cm x 13g Provenance: Private European Collection; formerly acquired from old UK and European collection formed since the 1970s. Disclaimer: NO SHIPPING OUTSIDE of THE EUROPEAN UNION. All items will be shipped from Belgium. The seller guarantees and can prove that the object was obtained legally. The seller was informed by Catawiki that they had to provide the documentation required by the laws and regulations in their country of residence. The seller guarantees and is entitled to sell/export this object. The seller will provide all provenance information known about the object to the buyer. The seller ensures that any necessary permits are/will be arranged. The seller will inform the buyer immediately about any delays in obtaining such permits. The seller will not ship outside the EU. Catawiki disclaimer: This object has been dated based on style by the seller . No further tests, such as, a TL test, analysis of metals(XRF-test), lapidary tests, analysis of pigments or radiography scans have been conducted to check the integrity of the piece.