Ancient Chinese, Han dynasty Terracotta Mingqi warrior - 46 cm
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Selected by Ruth Garrido Vila
Directed the Ifergan Collection Museum, specialising in Phoenician and Mediterranean archaeology.
Estimate € 3,300 - € 4,000
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Han Dynasty terracotta Mingqi warrior, standing with a long robe and remaining polychromy, originally held weapons now lost, measuring 46 × 16 × 10 cm and described as authentic original restaurado, acquired from a gallery/antiquary in Hong Kong in 2006 with provenance back to a 1950 purchase in China.
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Description from the seller
CHINA, HAN DYNASTY (206 B.C.–220 A.D.)
Invoice seen by Catawiki
Important funerary figure of a warrior or guard in polychrome terracotta — Mingqi
Interesting and expressive Chinese funerary figure in polychrome terracotta, representing a standing warrior or guard, belonging to the sculptural tradition developed during the Han Dynasty (206 B.C.–220 A.D.).
The figure appears upright and frontal, dressed in a long tunic with wide sleeves over trousers, preserving significant remnants of its ancient pictorial decoration in dark, cream and red tones. Especially notable is the diagonal red band crossing the torso.
The right arm is bent and raised, with the hand clenched, while the left arm descends along the body. This arrangement indicates that the figure would originally have held weapons, staffs or other attributes made separately, currently lost, a common circumstance in this type of funerary sculpture.
The face, deliberately schematic yet expressive in conception, features soberly modeled eyes, nose and mouth, crowned by a characteristic headdress.
These figures, known as mingqi, formed part of the extraordinary funerary universe of Han China. They were deposited in the tombs of people of rank to symbolically reproduce in the Beyond the entourage, the servants, and the elements of daily life that the deceased had enjoyed.
Han funerary sculpture represents one of the great evolutions of ancient Chinese art after the famous Qin Terracotta Army: in contrast to the monumental scale of that ensemble, Han artists developed numerous figures of guards, soldiers, servants, musicians, animals and domestic scenes intended to populate authentic underground palaces.
Particularly attractive is the partial preservation of the original polychromy applied in cold, extremely vulnerable after about two thousand years of interment.
Material: terracotta with traces of polychromy and engobes.
Dimensions: 46 × 16 × 10 cm approx.
Condition: archaeological state. Shows wear and paint loss, surface deposits and crusts, cracks and fissures, highlighting a wide transverse crack at chest and shoulder level, in addition to ancient joints/repairs. The attributes originally held by the hands have been lost. See photographic documentation in detail.
A piece of great presence and considerable size, representative of one of the fundamental chapters of funerary sculpture in ancient China.
CHINA, HAN DYNASTY (206 B.C.–220 A.D.)
Invoice seen by Catawiki
Important funerary figure of a warrior or guard in polychrome terracotta — Mingqi
Interesting and expressive Chinese funerary figure in polychrome terracotta, representing a standing warrior or guard, belonging to the sculptural tradition developed during the Han Dynasty (206 B.C.–220 A.D.).
The figure appears upright and frontal, dressed in a long tunic with wide sleeves over trousers, preserving significant remnants of its ancient pictorial decoration in dark, cream and red tones. Especially notable is the diagonal red band crossing the torso.
The right arm is bent and raised, with the hand clenched, while the left arm descends along the body. This arrangement indicates that the figure would originally have held weapons, staffs or other attributes made separately, currently lost, a common circumstance in this type of funerary sculpture.
The face, deliberately schematic yet expressive in conception, features soberly modeled eyes, nose and mouth, crowned by a characteristic headdress.
These figures, known as mingqi, formed part of the extraordinary funerary universe of Han China. They were deposited in the tombs of people of rank to symbolically reproduce in the Beyond the entourage, the servants, and the elements of daily life that the deceased had enjoyed.
Han funerary sculpture represents one of the great evolutions of ancient Chinese art after the famous Qin Terracotta Army: in contrast to the monumental scale of that ensemble, Han artists developed numerous figures of guards, soldiers, servants, musicians, animals and domestic scenes intended to populate authentic underground palaces.
Particularly attractive is the partial preservation of the original polychromy applied in cold, extremely vulnerable after about two thousand years of interment.
Material: terracotta with traces of polychromy and engobes.
Dimensions: 46 × 16 × 10 cm approx.
Condition: archaeological state. Shows wear and paint loss, surface deposits and crusts, cracks and fissures, highlighting a wide transverse crack at chest and shoulder level, in addition to ancient joints/repairs. The attributes originally held by the hands have been lost. See photographic documentation in detail.
A piece of great presence and considerable size, representative of one of the fundamental chapters of funerary sculpture in ancient China.
Details
Culture
Ancient Chinese, Han dynasty
Century/timeframe
200 ac
Name of object
Mingqi warrior
Acquired from
Gallery / Antique dealer
Year acquired
2006
Material
Terracotta
Country acquired from
Hong Kong
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Gallery / Antique dealer
Height
46 cm
Previous owner - year acquired
1950
Width
16 cm
Previous owner - country acquired from
China
Depth
10 cm
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Refurbished original
Sold by
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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.
