Ancient Chinese, Han dynasty Terracotta Scientifically Tested – Large Chinese Court Lady – Attributed to Han Dynasty – 54.5 cm – German - 54.5 cm (No reserve price)

Remarkable and imposing Chinese terracotta female figure, 54.5 cm tall, distinguished by her majestic silhouette, the long elegantly draped robe, and the finesse of her modeling.

This large-scale sculpture possesses a particularly striking presence. Her crossed sleeves, serene face, and carefully worked hairstyle evoke the refinement of court figures from Imperial China.

One of its attractions lies in the traces of polychromy still visible on the face. Chinese funerary sculptures were originally often painted, but their pigments—especially sensitive to burial conditions and the passage of time—have frequently disappeared. The presence of color traces on the facial features is thus a particularly appreciable conservation detail, enriching the expression of this figure and recalling its original appearance.

It is accompanied by an official German scientific report established in 2001, including an old photograph of the statuette and several in-depth analyses of its material.

German scientific expertise from 2001:

This important statuette is accompanied by a scientific report drawn up on August 29, 2001 by the Amtliche Materialprüfstelle für Glas und Keramik, the official materials testing laboratory affiliated with the Fachhochschule Koblenz in Germany.

The report, referenced KP 143-12/01, is signed by Professor Dr.-Ing. Gernot Klein, then director of the laboratory, a specialist in ceramic materials and the analysis of archaeological finds.

It includes an old photograph identifying the statuette as well as several scientific examinations: optical and electron microscopy, chemical analysis (EDX), and thermal analyses (TG/DTA).

These techniques are also employed in archaeological research and the scientific study of museum collections.

The analyses document the composition, structure, and thermal behavior of the ceramic material.

This official university report, produced twenty-five years ago, constitutes particularly interesting scientific documentation for the study of this grand Chinese figure.

A majestic silhouette and a robe of rare elegance:

The statuette depicts a court lady standing in a calm and solemn pose.

Her delicately modeled face, with slightly elongated eyes and a discreetly smiling mouth, expresses great serenity.

Her carefully worked hairstyle is gathered at the back of the head into a bun with a trailing lock.

Her arms are crossed in front of the body, hidden beneath long sleeves with generous folds.

The robe, exceptionally long, reaches the ground and broadens harmoniously at its lower part. Its oblique folds emphasize the sculpture’s verticality and confer upon it remarkable elegance.

This slender composition, coupled with its imposing dimensions, is one of the main attractions of the piece.

The terracotta bears a nuanced patina in beige, ochre, and gray tones, with deposits and traces of pigments.

Mingqi – Court Life in Imperial China:

This figure can be linked to the Mingqi tradition, these funerary statuettes intended to accompany the deceased in the afterlife.

During the Han Dynasty (206 BCE – 220 CE), the burials of high-ranking individuals housed true miniature courts.

Ladies of the court, attendants, musicians, and dignitaries were symbolically expected to extend the deceased’s comfort and prestige into the other world.

These representations attest to the refined clothing, traditions, and social organization of Imperial China.

Through its ceremonial posture, crossed sleeves, and monumental robe, this statuette evokes that aristocratic world.

With a height of 54.5 cm, it constitutes a particularly imposing and decorative representation.

Dimensions and features:
- Height: 54.5 cm
- Width: 19.8 cm
- Depth: 18.3 cm
- Weight: 3.56 kg
- Material: Terracotta
- Claimed origin: China
- Proposed period: Han Dynasty (206 BCE – 220 CE), presumed attribution
- Typology: court figure, Mingqi tradition
- Documentation: German scientific expertise of August 29, 2001
- Report reference: KP 143-12/01

Condition status:

The statuette shows an irregular patina, with deposits, signs of wear, and color variations.
The face, hairstyle, crossed sleeves, and robe folds retain good legibility.
Detailed photographs allow appreciation of its overall condition and surface peculiarities.

A collector’s piece of great size:

With its remarkable height of 54.5 cm, its majestic silhouette, and its elegant robe with long sculpted folds, this figure has a particularly strong presence.

The combination of its substantial dimensions, refined aesthetics, and scientific expertise conducted in 2001 by an official German laboratory makes it a particularly interesting piece for collectors of ancient Chinese terracottas.

A grand representation of the Chinese funeral tradition, evocative of the elegance and refinement of Imperial China, accompanied by ancient and identifiable scientific documentation.

Secure packing and insured shipping:

The statuette will be shipped in a rigid box specially prepared to its dimensions, with reinforced padding and protective foams suitable for its fragility.

The shipment will be carried out with tracking and insurance covering the declared value of the object, subject to the carrier’s terms.

The German scientific report from 2001 and its accompanying documents will be carefully protected and included with the shipment.