China Yuan Dynasty Terracotta Important Chinese court lady, called “Fat Lady” – Late Yuan / early Ming – 14th–15th century – 39.8 - 39.8 cm (No reserve price)

Remarkable and imposing Chinese terracotta court lady of 39.8 cm, particularly captivating for the elegance of her silhouette, the softness of her expression, and her spectacular double-volume hairstyle. This piece benefits most from a major asset: it is accompanied by its thermoluminescence report from Ralf Kotalla established in 2008, with photograph of the statuette, two samples and a dating of the last firing at 600 years ± 20 %.

Attribuable to the end of the Yuan dynasty / beginning of the Ming dynasty, 14th–15th century, this elegant figure stands out for a particularly decorative presence.

S Her serene face with elongated eyes, full cheeks, small mouth and monumental coiffure contrast with the verticality of the long garment, animated by deeply modeled folds. The terracotta presents a beautiful antique surface preserving traces of pigments and engobe, notably reddish tones still perceptible on certain parts of the garment. The irregularities, deposits, wear and small losses visible attest to its age and fully contribute to the archaeological character and to the presence of the piece.

Dimensions:

Height: 39.8 cm
Width: 12.5 cm
Depth: 9 cm
Weight: 1.14 kg

Thermoluminescence report Ralf Kotalla:

The statuette is accompanied by a thermoluminescence report from the laboratory Ralf Kotalla, Haigerloch, Germany.

Reference: 03130108
Date: January 24, 2008
Object described: “Fat Lady” in terracotta
Indicated provenance: China
Indicated height: approx. 40 cm

The laboratory concludes that the terracotta was:

“fired in antiquity”

and places its last firing at:

600 years ± 20 %

This measurement roughly corresponds to a period between the late 13th and early 16th centuries and is thus compatible with an attribution situated between the end of the Yuan dynasty and the Ming period.

The analysis was carried out on two distinct samples:

* A: lower part of the garment ("unten Gewand" )
* B: back of the head ("Kopf hinten" )

The file includes the luminescence curves as well as the signature and stamp of Ralf Kotalla.

A particularly interesting element for traceability is the photograph of the statuette directly integrated into the 2008 report. Its characteristic morphology and the height of about 40 cm indicated on the document allow a clear link between the report and the piece presented.

Condition:

Good overall state considering its age.

Wear, deposits, surface irregularities, small chips and losses compatible with the age and nature of the object. Traces of ancient pigments visible.

Presence of old restorations, notably documented in the thermoluminescence report.

The hollow interior, the base, the back, the profiles, the coiffure and the face are presented in detail in the photographs to allow a precise assessment of the conservation status.

Documentation:

The thermoluminescence report Ralf Kotalla no. 03130108, prepared in 2008, accompanies the statuette.

It includes the ancient photograph of the object, its identification as the Chinese “Fat Lady” of about 40 cm, the thermoluminescence result, the location of the samples, the luminescence curves, as well as the signature and stamp of the laboratory.

Shipping:

The statuette and its documentation will be packaged with special care in reinforced packaging suitable for transporting an ancient terracotta.

Tracked and insured shipping during the transport.