Ancient Chinese, Tang Dynasty Terracotta Polychrome terracotta court lady / funerary attendant, mingqi - 23 cm
03
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07
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38
minutes
57
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Current bid
€ 100
Reserve price not met
Expert
Selected by Ruth Garrido Vila
Directed the Ifergan Collection Museum, specialising in Phoenician and Mediterranean archaeology.
Estimate € 1,300 - € 1,600
 | €100 | |
|---|---|---|
| €95 | |
| €90 | |
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Terracotta mingqi funerary court attendant figure from the Tang dynasty, named Dama de corte / asistente funeraria de terracota policromada, in good condition with original polychromy, dimensions 22 × 5 × 5 cm, acquired in 2008 from a private collection in Hong Kong.
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Description from the seller
China – Funerary figure of a court attendant (mingqi) – Tang Dynasty
Interesting Chinese funerary figure made in molded terracotta, depicting a standing court attendant, dressed in a long ceremonial tunic with a cross-closed neck. The figure adopts the solemn, frontal posture characteristic of Han funerary sculpture, with arms held together in front of the abdomen and hands apparently concealed beneath the wide sleeves.
With stylized proportions and markedly vertical lines, the body extends into a long tunic that elegantly widens toward the base. The face shows deliberately sober modeling, with softly defined features and hair indicated by an area of dark pigment.
Particularly attractive is the preservation of traces of the original polychromy, with red pigment observed on the neck of the garment and on a succession of vertical lines over the sleeves or hands folded in front of the body. The surface also preserves abundant traces of a light underglaze or engobe, along with earthy deposits and a general patina coherent with an archaeological piece.
The lower part remains hollow and open, revealing the manufacturing process of the figure. It shows surface wear, small losses and chips typical of its age, as well as a fissure visible laterally; nevertheless, it retains the distinctive silhouette in full and a highly engaging 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 traces of engobe and red and black polychromy.
Dimensions: 22x5x5 cm.
Proposed period: Han Dynasty (206 BC–220 AD), probably Western Han, circa 2nd–1st century BC.
Condition: good given its age; wear, deposits, losses of polychromy, minor breaks and a lateral crack visible in the photos.
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.
China – Funerary figure of a court attendant (mingqi) – Tang Dynasty
Interesting Chinese funerary figure made in molded terracotta, depicting a standing court attendant, dressed in a long ceremonial tunic with a cross-closed neck. The figure adopts the solemn, frontal posture characteristic of Han funerary sculpture, with arms held together in front of the abdomen and hands apparently concealed beneath the wide sleeves.
With stylized proportions and markedly vertical lines, the body extends into a long tunic that elegantly widens toward the base. The face shows deliberately sober modeling, with softly defined features and hair indicated by an area of dark pigment.
Particularly attractive is the preservation of traces of the original polychromy, with red pigment observed on the neck of the garment and on a succession of vertical lines over the sleeves or hands folded in front of the body. The surface also preserves abundant traces of a light underglaze or engobe, along with earthy deposits and a general patina coherent with an archaeological piece.
The lower part remains hollow and open, revealing the manufacturing process of the figure. It shows surface wear, small losses and chips typical of its age, as well as a fissure visible laterally; nevertheless, it retains the distinctive silhouette in full and a highly engaging 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 traces of engobe and red and black polychromy.
Dimensions: 22x5x5 cm.
Proposed period: Han Dynasty (206 BC–220 AD), probably Western Han, circa 2nd–1st century BC.
Condition: good given its age; wear, deposits, losses of polychromy, minor breaks and a lateral crack visible in the photos.
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.
Details
Culture
Ancient Chinese, Tang Dynasty
Century/timeframe
Tang dynasty (618 - 907 A.D. )
Name of object
Polychrome terracotta court lady / funerary attendant, 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
23 cm
Previous owner - year acquired
1950
Width
6 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.
