Ancient Chinese, Han dynasty Terracotta Rare Minqi Chinese Han Dynasty Court Lady Terracotta Figurine – TL Tested – 2,000 Years Old – 30.5 - 30.5 cm (No reserve price)

Ancient China – Supposed Han Dynasty (206 BCE – 220 CE)

Remarkable Chinese terracotta female figurine, 30.5 cm high, distinguished by a beautiful, unusually elegant silhouette and an exceptionally long robe, widely flared to the floor.

This singular composition, pairing a delicately modeled torso with a monumental long robe, gives the work a sculptural presence and a particularly elegant aura.

The statue is accompanied by a thermoluminescence report from the German laboratory Ralf Kotalla, signed January 9, 2004, estimating the firing age at 2,000 years (± 20%).

A singular silhouette and a robe of great elegance

This female figure immediately captures the eye with its remarkable proportions.

Her relatively short bust contrasts with a long robe that gradually widens to form a broad, flared base. This characteristic garment, unusual in its composition, emphasizes the sculpture’s verticality and elegance.

The arms are joined in front of the body, hidden beneath wide sleeves with deeply carved pleats.

The rounded face presents a soft and serene expression. The delicately drawn eyes, the small mouth, and the peaceful attitude testify to refined modeling.

The head is framed by a hairstyle or a veil falling over the shoulders.

The surface retains a patina with beige, ochre, and brown tones, accompanied by deposits and traces of light pigments.

Overall, it offers a strong decorative presence, dominated by the robe’s breadth and fluidity.

A lady of the court in the Mingqi tradition of the Han dynasty

This statue can be linked to the Chinese tradition of Mingqi, these funerary figures intended to accompany the deceased in the afterlife.

During the Han dynasty (206 BCE – 220 CE), the tombs of high-ranking figures housed representations of servants, ladies of the court, musicians, and dancers.

These figurines formed a true miniature court, symbolically prolonging the comfort, prestige, and social rank of the deceased in the other world.

The female representations, in particular, testify to the refinement of clothing, hairstyles, and court life in imperial China.

This figure stands out for the particularly pronounced development of its robe, whose elongated lines create a graceful silhouette that is immediately recognizable.

It constitutes an evocative testament to the artistic and funerary traditions of Ancient China.

Thermoluminescence – Ralf Kotalla Laboratory, Germany

The figurine benefits from ancient scientific documentation established by the German laboratory Ralf Kotalla.

The final report, signed January 9, 2004, concludes an ancient terracotta firing estimated at 2,000 years, with a margin of error of ± 20%.

This estimate is chronologically compatible with the Han period, to which the object is attributed provisionally.

Two samples were taken directly from the statue:

- At the back of the lower part.
- At the back of the head.

The report includes an identification photograph produced by the laboratory, as well as the associated analytical documents.

Certificate information:
- Laboratory: Ralf Kotalla, Haigerloch, Germany
- Reference: 04131203
- Date: January 9, 2004
- Result: Fired in antiquity – Ancient firing
- Estimated age: 2,000 years ± 20%
- Item described: terracotta figurine
- Mentioned height: about 31 cm
- Indicated origin: China

This document, prepared more than twenty years ago, constitutes an important element for the study and presentation of this sculpture.

Thermoluminescence allows estimating the age of firing of the analyzed samples, without by itself establishing the definitive dynastic attribution of the object.

Dimensions and features

Height: 30.5 cm
Width: 19.3 cm
Depth: 18 cm
Weight: 1,756 grams
Material: terracotta
Origin: China
Proposed dating: supposed Han Dynasty

Secure packaging and insured shipping:

The figurine will be shipped with the utmost care, in a rigid box specially prepared and sized for its dimensions.

Reinforced protective packaging, including packing materials and protective foams, will ensure its immobilization during transport to minimize impact risks.

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

The original thermoluminescence Kotalla report and its analytical documents will also be carefully protected and attached to the shipment.

Special attention will be given to the safety of this ancient terracotta so that it reaches the buyer in the best possible condition.