Ancient Chinese, Tang Dynasty Terracotta Court lady / funerary assistant in polychrome terracotta, mingqi - 24 cm

Female funerary figure / court attendant (mingqi)
China, attributable to the Sui–early Tang dynasty, ca. late 6th–7th century AD.
Modelled terracotta with remains of polychromy.
24 × 5.5 × 6 cm approx.

Elegant Chinese funerary figure in terracotta representing a lady or female court attendant, standing on a small rectangular base. The figure presents a frontal, rigid composition, with an extraordinarily stylized body, bent arms and hands gathered in front of the torso, probably originally concealed between the sleeves.

The especially striking feature is the elevated hairdo formed by a double bun, clearly differentiated and still retaining traces of dark pigment. This type of coiffure is documented for both North Dynasties female figures and during the Sui and early Tang periods; Christie’s precisely describes Northern Wei figures with hair gathered in a double knot, as well as Tang-era attendants from the early Tang with elaborate double-knots.

The face shows delicately modeled features, with a long nose, small mouth, and eyes and eyebrows still defined by dark pigment. The preservation of these painted details is particularly attractive. The body is covered by a long, nearly columnar garment that falls loosely at the waist, leaving visible the small feet on the base.

The surface preserves traces of reddish, orange, and black pigment, and possible traces of a pale engobe, especially interesting on the face and the garment. These polychrome decorations are characteristic of mingqi, sculptures made to be part of the funerary equipment and to accompany the deceased symbolically in the afterlife.

The combination of a highly stylized anatomy, relatively naturalistic face, and elaborate hairstyle stylistically places the piece in the early Sui–Tang transition, prior to the famous, more voluminous Tang ladies of the 8th century. Mature Tang figures show precisely a shift toward fuller bodies and broader garments.

Condition report: surface wear and erosion compatible with its typology; losses of polychromy, terrestrial deposits, small cracks, abrasions and flaking, especially on the base. It nonetheless retains a substantial part of facial definition and traces of original decoration. See carefully the photographs.

Catawiki disclaimer: This object has been dated based on style by the seller. No further tests, such as a TL test, C14 test, lapidary tests, analysis of pigments or radiography scans have been conducted to check the integrity of the piece.