Ancient Chinese, Han dynasty Terracotta Court lady / funerary assistant in polychrome terracotta, mingqi - 24 cm
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Selected by Ruth Garrido Vila
Directed the Ifergan Collection Museum, specialising in Phoenician and Mediterranean archaeology.
Estimate € 1,600 - € 1,900
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Han dynasty terracotta funerary figure depicting a court attendant in a long ceremonial robe, circa 2nd–1st century BC, standing with arms folded and remnants of original polychromy, height 24 cm, width 6 cm, depth 6 cm, authenticated as original and acquired from a private collection in Hong Kong in 2008.
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Description from the seller
China – Funerary figure of an court attendant (mingqi) – Han Dynasty, probably Western Han, ca. 2nd–1st century BCE.
Interesting Chinese funerary figure made in molded terracotta, depicting a standing court attendant, dressed in a long ceremonial cross-collar tunic. The figure adopts the solemn, frontal posture characteristic of Han funerary sculpture, with the arms gathered in front of the abdomen and the hands apparently hidden beneath the wide sleeves.
With stylized proportions and markedly vertical, the body extends into a long tunic that flares gracefully toward the base. The face presents deliberately sober modeling, with softly defined features and hair indicated by a dark-pigmented area.
Especially attractive is the preservation of traces of the original polychromy, with red pigment observed on the neckline of the garment and on a series of vertical lines over the sleeves or the hands folded in front of the body. The surface also preserves abundant traces of a pale slip or engobe, along with earthy deposits and an overall patina consistent with an archaeological piece.
The lower part remains hollow and open, revealing the manufacturing process of the figure. It shows surface wear, small losses and chips typical of its age, as well as a visible lateral crack; nevertheless, it retains the distinctive silhouette and a highly attractive sculptural presence.
These figures, known as mingqi (明器), were placed in the tombs of Chinese elite members to represent the servants and court members who would accompany the deceased in the afterlife.
Material: molded terracotta with traces of engobe and red and black polychromy.
Dimensions: 24 x 6 x 6 cm.
Proposed period: Han Dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE), probably Western Han, circa 2nd–1st century BCE.
Condition: good considering its age; wear, deposits, losses of polychromy, small flaws and a lateral crack visible in the photographs.
CataWiki disclaimer: This object has been dated based on style by the seller. No further tests, such as a TL test, C14 test, lapidary tests, analysis of pigments or radiography scans have been conducted to check the integrity of the piece.
China – Funerary figure of an court attendant (mingqi) – Han Dynasty, probably Western Han, ca. 2nd–1st century BCE.
Interesting Chinese funerary figure made in molded terracotta, depicting a standing court attendant, dressed in a long ceremonial cross-collar tunic. The figure adopts the solemn, frontal posture characteristic of Han funerary sculpture, with the arms gathered in front of the abdomen and the hands apparently hidden beneath the wide sleeves.
With stylized proportions and markedly vertical, the body extends into a long tunic that flares gracefully toward the base. The face presents deliberately sober modeling, with softly defined features and hair indicated by a dark-pigmented area.
Especially attractive is the preservation of traces of the original polychromy, with red pigment observed on the neckline of the garment and on a series of vertical lines over the sleeves or the hands folded in front of the body. The surface also preserves abundant traces of a pale slip or engobe, along with earthy deposits and an overall patina consistent with an archaeological piece.
The lower part remains hollow and open, revealing the manufacturing process of the figure. It shows surface wear, small losses and chips typical of its age, as well as a visible lateral crack; nevertheless, it retains the distinctive silhouette and a highly attractive sculptural presence.
These figures, known as mingqi (明器), were placed in the tombs of Chinese elite members to represent the servants and court members who would accompany the deceased in the afterlife.
Material: molded terracotta with traces of engobe and red and black polychromy.
Dimensions: 24 x 6 x 6 cm.
Proposed period: Han Dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE), probably Western Han, circa 2nd–1st century BCE.
Condition: good considering its age; wear, deposits, losses of polychromy, small flaws and a lateral crack visible in the photographs.
CataWiki disclaimer: This object has been dated based on style by the seller. No further tests, such as a TL test, C14 test, lapidary tests, analysis of pigments or radiography scans have been conducted to check the integrity of the piece.
Details
Culture
Ancient Chinese, Han dynasty
Century/timeframe
SVII
Name of object
Court lady / funerary assistant in polychrome terracotta, mingqi
Acquired from
Private collection
Year acquired
2008
Material
Terracotta
Country acquired from
Hong Kong
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Gallery / Antique dealer
Height
24 cm
Previous owner - year acquired
1950
Width
6 cm
Previous owner - country acquired from
Hong Kong
Depth
6 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.
