Ancient Chinese, Han dynasty Terracotta Court lady / funerary assistant in polychrome terracotta, mingqi - 22 cm (No reserve price)
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Selected by Ruth Garrido Vila
Directed the Ifergan Collection Museum, specialising in Phoenician and Mediterranean archaeology.
Estimate € 1,700 - € 2,000
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Han Dynasty terracotta funerary court attendant figure (mingqi), standing with folded arms, 22 cm high by 12 cm wide and 5 cm deep, dating to circa 2nd–1st century BCE and in good condition with remnants of original polychromy.
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Description from the seller
China – Mingqi funeral figure of a court attendant (mingqi) – Western Han Dynasty, probably Western Han, ca. 2nd century BC – 1st century BC.
Interesting Chinese funerary figure made in molded terracotta, depicting a standing court attendant, dressed in a long ceremonial cross-collar tunic. The figure adopts the solemn, frontal pose characteristic of Han funerary sculpture, with arms brought together at the abdomen and the hands apparently hidden beneath the wide sleeves.
With stylized proportions and markedly vertical, the body stretches into a long tunic that elegantly widens toward the base. The face shows deliberately sober modeling, with softly defined features and hair indicated by a dark pigment area.
Especially attractive is the preservation of remnants of the original polychromy, with red pigment observed on the neck of the garment and on a succession of vertical lines on the sleeves or hands folded before the body. The surface also preserves abundant remnants of a pale slip or engobe, along with earthy deposits and a general patina coherent with an archaeological piece.
The lower part remains hollow and open, showing the manufacturing process of the figure. It shows surface wear, small losses and chips typical of its age, as well as a visible lateral crack; nevertheless, it fully preserves the distinctive silhouette and a very appealing sculptural presence.
These figures, known as mingqi (明器), were placed in the tombs of Chinese elite members to represent the servants and members of the court who would accompany the deceased in the afterlife.
Material: molded terracotta with remnants of engobe and red and black polychromy.
Dimensions: 25.5 × 12 × 5 cm.
Proposed period: Han Dynasty (206 BC–220 AD), probably Western Han, circa 2nd–1st century BC.
Condition: good considering its age; wear, deposits, losses of polychromy, small losses and a lateral crack visible in photographs.
Catawiki disclaimer: This object has been dated based on style by the seller. No further tests, such as TL dating, C14 dating, lapidary tests, pigment analysis or radiography scans have been conducted to check the integrity of the piece.
China – Mingqi funeral figure of a court attendant (mingqi) – Western Han Dynasty, probably Western Han, ca. 2nd century BC – 1st century BC.
Interesting Chinese funerary figure made in molded terracotta, depicting a standing court attendant, dressed in a long ceremonial cross-collar tunic. The figure adopts the solemn, frontal pose characteristic of Han funerary sculpture, with arms brought together at the abdomen and the hands apparently hidden beneath the wide sleeves.
With stylized proportions and markedly vertical, the body stretches into a long tunic that elegantly widens toward the base. The face shows deliberately sober modeling, with softly defined features and hair indicated by a dark pigment area.
Especially attractive is the preservation of remnants of the original polychromy, with red pigment observed on the neck of the garment and on a succession of vertical lines on the sleeves or hands folded before the body. The surface also preserves abundant remnants of a pale slip or engobe, along with earthy deposits and a general patina coherent with an archaeological piece.
The lower part remains hollow and open, showing the manufacturing process of the figure. It shows surface wear, small losses and chips typical of its age, as well as a visible lateral crack; nevertheless, it fully preserves the distinctive silhouette and a very appealing sculptural presence.
These figures, known as mingqi (明器), were placed in the tombs of Chinese elite members to represent the servants and members of the court who would accompany the deceased in the afterlife.
Material: molded terracotta with remnants of engobe and red and black polychromy.
Dimensions: 25.5 × 12 × 5 cm.
Proposed period: Han Dynasty (206 BC–220 AD), probably Western Han, circa 2nd–1st century BC.
Condition: good considering its age; wear, deposits, losses of polychromy, small losses and a lateral crack visible in photographs.
Catawiki disclaimer: This object has been dated based on style by the seller. No further tests, such as TL dating, C14 dating, lapidary tests, pigment analysis or radiography scans have been conducted to check the integrity of the piece.
Details
Culture
Ancient Chinese, Han dynasty
Century/timeframe
SVII
Name of object
Court lady / funerary assistant in polychrome terracotta, mingqi
Acquired from
Private collection
Year acquired
2008
Material
Terracotta
Country acquired from
Hong Kong
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Gallery / Antique dealer
Height
22 cm
Previous owner - year acquired
1950
Width
12 cm
Previous owner - country acquired from
Hong Kong
Depth
5 cm
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
Sold by
Disclaimer
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.
