Ancient Chinese, Han dynasty Terracotta Mingqi warrior - 46 cm
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Selected by Ruth Garrido Vila
Directed the Ifergan Collection Museum, specialising in Phoenician and Mediterranean archaeology.
Estimate € 2,400 - € 2,900
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Mingqi warrior in terracotta with remaining polychromy, from the Han Dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE), measuring 46 × 16 × 10 cm and presented as an original restored funerary figure.
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Description from the seller
CHINA, HAN DYNASTY (206 BCE–220 CE)
Important funerary figure of a warrior or guard in polychrome terracotta — Mingqi
Interesting and expressive Chinese funerary figure in polychrome terracotta, representing a standing warrior or guard, belonging to the sculptural tradition developed during the Han Dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE).
The figure stands upright and facing forward, wearing a long tunic with wide sleeves over trousers, retaining substantial traces of its original pictorial decoration in dark tones, cream and red. Notably, a diagonal red band runs across the torso.
The right arm is flexed and raised, with the hand closed, while the left arm descends along the body. This arrangement indicates that the figure would originally have held weapons, staffs, or other attributes made separately, currently lost, a common circumstance in this type of funerary sculpture.
The face, deliberately schematic yet expressive, features soberly modeled eyes, nose, and mouth, crowned by a distinctive headdress.
These figures, known as mingqi, were part of the extraordinary funerary universe of Han China. They were placed in the tombs of people of rank to symbolically reproduce in the Beyond the entourage, servants, and everyday life elements enjoyed by the deceased.
Han funerary sculpture represents one of the great evolutions of ancient Chinese art after the famous Qin terracotta army: in contrast to the grandeur of that ensemble, Han artists developed numerous figures of guards, soldiers, servants, musicians, animals, and domestic scenes intended to populate true underground palaces.
Especially striking is the partial conservation of the original polychromy, applied in cool tones, extremely vulnerable after approximately two thousand years of burial.
Material: terracotta with remnants of polychromy and engobes.
Dimensions: approx. 46 × 16 × 10 cm.
State of conservation: archaeological condition. Shows wear and losses of polychromy, surface deposits and concretions, fractures and cracks, highlighting a broad transverse crack at chest and shoulder height, as well as old joints/repairs. The attributes originally held by the hands have been lost. See photographic documentation for details.
A piece of great presence and considerable size, representative of one of the fundamental chapters of the funerary sculpture of ancient China.
CHINA, HAN DYNASTY (206 BCE–220 CE)
Important funerary figure of a warrior or guard in polychrome terracotta — Mingqi
Interesting and expressive Chinese funerary figure in polychrome terracotta, representing a standing warrior or guard, belonging to the sculptural tradition developed during the Han Dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE).
The figure stands upright and facing forward, wearing a long tunic with wide sleeves over trousers, retaining substantial traces of its original pictorial decoration in dark tones, cream and red. Notably, a diagonal red band runs across the torso.
The right arm is flexed and raised, with the hand closed, while the left arm descends along the body. This arrangement indicates that the figure would originally have held weapons, staffs, or other attributes made separately, currently lost, a common circumstance in this type of funerary sculpture.
The face, deliberately schematic yet expressive, features soberly modeled eyes, nose, and mouth, crowned by a distinctive headdress.
These figures, known as mingqi, were part of the extraordinary funerary universe of Han China. They were placed in the tombs of people of rank to symbolically reproduce in the Beyond the entourage, servants, and everyday life elements enjoyed by the deceased.
Han funerary sculpture represents one of the great evolutions of ancient Chinese art after the famous Qin terracotta army: in contrast to the grandeur of that ensemble, Han artists developed numerous figures of guards, soldiers, servants, musicians, animals, and domestic scenes intended to populate true underground palaces.
Especially striking is the partial conservation of the original polychromy, applied in cool tones, extremely vulnerable after approximately two thousand years of burial.
Material: terracotta with remnants of polychromy and engobes.
Dimensions: approx. 46 × 16 × 10 cm.
State of conservation: archaeological condition. Shows wear and losses of polychromy, surface deposits and concretions, fractures and cracks, highlighting a broad transverse crack at chest and shoulder height, as well as old joints/repairs. The attributes originally held by the hands have been lost. See photographic documentation for details.
A piece of great presence and considerable size, representative of one of the fundamental chapters of the funerary sculpture of ancient China.
Details
Culture
Ancient Chinese, Han dynasty
Century/timeframe
200ac
Name of object
Mingqi warrior
Acquired from
Private collection
Year acquired
2006
Material
Terracotta
Country acquired from
Hong Kong
Condition
Very good
Previous owner acquired from
Gallery / Antique dealer
Height
46 cm
Previous owner - year acquired
1950
Width
16 cm
Previous owner - country acquired from
China
Depth
10 cm
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Refurbished original
Sold by
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The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
