Ancient Chinese, Tang Dynasty Terracotta Mingqi funerary Bactrian camel - 13 cm
06
days
22
hours
33
minutes
01
second
Starting bid
€ 1
Reserve price not met
Expert
Selected by Ruth Garrido Vila
Directed the Ifergan Collection Museum, specialising in Phoenician and Mediterranean archaeology.
Estimate € 1,000 - € 1,300
No bids placed
Catawiki Buyer Protection
Your payment’s safe with us until you receive your object.View details
Trustpilot 4.4 | 143313 reviews
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot.
Description from the seller
China – Mingqi funerary Bactrian camel – Tang Dynasty, ca. 7th–8th centuries CE.
Interesting Chinese funerary figure made in reddish molded terracotta, representing a two-humped Bactrian camel standing on an integral rectangular base.
The animal appears modeled in a markedly stylized way, with a voluminous body, two well-defined humps, an elevated neck and a simplified head projected forward. The four legs are integrated into an open-base structure, creating wide spaces beneath the body and providing stability to the piece as a whole.
The piece presents a hollow construction, perfectly visible from the bottom, a procedure common in many ancient Chinese terracotta funerary sculptures. The surface retains an attractive natural reddish tone of the paste, with earthy deposits, concretions, wear and surface alterations compatible with great age.
This type of figure was part of the funerary trousseau known as mingqi (明器). Bactrian camels had particular symbolic importance during the Tang dynasty, when the great land routes connected China with Central Asia, Persia and the Western world. In elite tombs they represented transport, wealth and the cosmopolitan character of Tang society.
Material: reddish terracotta.
Dimensions: 13 × 13 × 6.5 cm.
Proposed period: Tang Dynasty, 618–907 CE, probably 7th–8th centuries.
Alternative possible chronology: late Northern Wei/Sui–early Tang.
Condition: wear and superficial deposits typical of antiquity, cracks visible especially at the base, small losses and abrasions; overall structure well preserved. Interior hollow.
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 – Mingqi funerary Bactrian camel – Tang Dynasty, ca. 7th–8th centuries CE.
Interesting Chinese funerary figure made in reddish molded terracotta, representing a two-humped Bactrian camel standing on an integral rectangular base.
The animal appears modeled in a markedly stylized way, with a voluminous body, two well-defined humps, an elevated neck and a simplified head projected forward. The four legs are integrated into an open-base structure, creating wide spaces beneath the body and providing stability to the piece as a whole.
The piece presents a hollow construction, perfectly visible from the bottom, a procedure common in many ancient Chinese terracotta funerary sculptures. The surface retains an attractive natural reddish tone of the paste, with earthy deposits, concretions, wear and surface alterations compatible with great age.
This type of figure was part of the funerary trousseau known as mingqi (明器). Bactrian camels had particular symbolic importance during the Tang dynasty, when the great land routes connected China with Central Asia, Persia and the Western world. In elite tombs they represented transport, wealth and the cosmopolitan character of Tang society.
Material: reddish terracotta.
Dimensions: 13 × 13 × 6.5 cm.
Proposed period: Tang Dynasty, 618–907 CE, probably 7th–8th centuries.
Alternative possible chronology: late Northern Wei/Sui–early Tang.
Condition: wear and superficial deposits typical of antiquity, cracks visible especially at the base, small losses and abrasions; overall structure well preserved. Interior hollow.
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, Tang Dynasty
Century/timeframe
SVI
Name of object
Mingqi funerary Bactrian camel
Acquired from
Private collection
Year acquired
2008
Material
Terracotta
Country acquired from
Hong Kong
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Gallery / Antique dealer
Height
13 cm
Previous owner - year acquired
1950
Width
13 cm
Previous owner - country acquired from
Hong Kong
Depth
6.5 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.
