Sui Dynasty (581–618) Terracotta Court Lady Minqi with TL Test - 18.7 cm (No reserve price)
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Current bid
€ 142
No reserve price
Expert
Selected by Ruth Garrido Vila
Directed the Ifergan Collection Museum, specialising in Phoenician and Mediterranean archaeology.
Estimate € 2,000 - € 2,500
 | €142 | |
|---|---|---|
 | €132 | |
| €112 | |
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Original Sui-dynasty terracotta mingqi depicting a standing court lady, Court Lady Minqi with TL Test, 18.7 cm high, 4.1 cm wide, 4 cm deep, acquired in 2026 from France, with thermoluminescence report Kotalla n°180921.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Rare Chinese Mingqi in terracotta representing a standing court lady, wearing a long robe with flowing sleeves, hands joined in front of the body.
The face, particularly expressive, features fine and serene traits. The elaborate coiffure, gathered into a bun, as well as the slender silhouette and the sober treatment of the garment are characteristic of funerary sculpture from the Sui period, a short transitional dynasty between the Northern Wei and the Tang.
The surface retains a beautiful old patina, with traces of red and dark pigments still visible, notably on the long sleeves and the hairstyle. The irregularities, deposits, small wear, and firing marks fully contribute to the archaeological character of the piece.
This figurine is a mingqi (冥器), a funerary object intended to accompany the deceased in the afterlife. Under the Sui and then the Tang, these figures were placed in tombs to symbolically recreate the environment and the court of the deceased.
Authenticity / thermoluminescence
The figurine belongs to the group of three figures reproduced and analyzed in the thermoluminescence report Laboratory Kotalla no. 180921, dated September 29, 2021.
The report states:
« Fired in antiquity »
Result:
1420 years ± 16 %
Attribution:
Sui – China
The laboratory notes that samplings were taken at the bottom of the robes of the three figures represented on the certificate.
A full copy of the thermoluminescence report Laboratory Kotalla no. 180921 will be provided with the piece.
Dimensions and weight
Height: 18.7 cm
Width: 4.1 cm
Depth: 4 cm
Weight: 165 g
Material: terracotta
Origin: China
Dating: Sui dynasty, 581–618
Condition
Very good archaeological condition given the age. Presence of wear, deposits, pigment losses, small irregularities and ancient marks visible in the photographs. No element has been masked or restored for display.
A particularly elegant and expressive piece, interesting both for a collection of ancient Chinese art and for an enthusiast of funerary statuary from the Sui and Tang dynasties.
The figurine will be shipped in a rigid protective box with custom-cut foam, as shown in the photographs, to ensure optimal protection during transport.
A copy of the TL Kotalla report will accompany the shipment as well.
Rare Chinese Mingqi in terracotta representing a standing court lady, wearing a long robe with flowing sleeves, hands joined in front of the body.
The face, particularly expressive, features fine and serene traits. The elaborate coiffure, gathered into a bun, as well as the slender silhouette and the sober treatment of the garment are characteristic of funerary sculpture from the Sui period, a short transitional dynasty between the Northern Wei and the Tang.
The surface retains a beautiful old patina, with traces of red and dark pigments still visible, notably on the long sleeves and the hairstyle. The irregularities, deposits, small wear, and firing marks fully contribute to the archaeological character of the piece.
This figurine is a mingqi (冥器), a funerary object intended to accompany the deceased in the afterlife. Under the Sui and then the Tang, these figures were placed in tombs to symbolically recreate the environment and the court of the deceased.
Authenticity / thermoluminescence
The figurine belongs to the group of three figures reproduced and analyzed in the thermoluminescence report Laboratory Kotalla no. 180921, dated September 29, 2021.
The report states:
« Fired in antiquity »
Result:
1420 years ± 16 %
Attribution:
Sui – China
The laboratory notes that samplings were taken at the bottom of the robes of the three figures represented on the certificate.
A full copy of the thermoluminescence report Laboratory Kotalla no. 180921 will be provided with the piece.
Dimensions and weight
Height: 18.7 cm
Width: 4.1 cm
Depth: 4 cm
Weight: 165 g
Material: terracotta
Origin: China
Dating: Sui dynasty, 581–618
Condition
Very good archaeological condition given the age. Presence of wear, deposits, pigment losses, small irregularities and ancient marks visible in the photographs. No element has been masked or restored for display.
A particularly elegant and expressive piece, interesting both for a collection of ancient Chinese art and for an enthusiast of funerary statuary from the Sui and Tang dynasties.
The figurine will be shipped in a rigid protective box with custom-cut foam, as shown in the photographs, to ensure optimal protection during transport.
A copy of the TL Kotalla report will accompany the shipment as well.
Details
Culture
Sui Dynasty (581–618)
Century/timeframe
6ème
Name of object
Court Lady Minqi with TL Test
Acquired from
Gallery / Antique dealer
Year acquired
2026
Material
Terracotta
Country acquired from
France
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Gallery / Antique dealer
Height
18.7 cm
Previous owner - year acquired
2020
Width
4.1 cm
Previous owner - country acquired from
France
Depth
4 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.
