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 € 2,400 - € 2,900
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Description from the seller
CHINA, HAN DYNASTY (206 BCE–220 CE)
Important funerary figure of a terracotta warrior or guard in polychrome terracotta — Mingqi
An 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 BCE–220 CE).
The figure appears upright and frontal, dressed in a long, wide-sleeved tunic over trousers, preserving significant remnants of its ancient pictorial decoration in dark, cream, and red tones. Notably, a diagonal red band crosses the torso.
The right arm is bent and raised, the hand clenched, while the left arm descends along the body. This arrangement indicates that originally the figure would have held weapons, staffs, or other attributes made separately, now lost, a common circumstance in this type of funerary sculpture.
The face, deliberately schematic yet expressive, features modestly modeled eyes, nose, and mouth, crowned by a distinctive headdress.
These figures, known as mingqi, formed part of the extraordinary funerary universe of Han China. They were placed in the tombs of people of rank to symbolically reproduce in the Afterlife the entourage, servants, and everyday life elements that the deceased had enjoyed.
Han funerary sculpture represents one of the great evolutions of ancient Chinese art after the famous Qin army of terracotta: in contrast to the monumentality of that ensemble, Han artists developed numerous figures of guards, soldiers, servants, musicians, animals, and domestic scenes intended to populate authentic underground palaces.
Particularly striking is the partial preservation of the original polychromy applied in cold tones, extremely vulnerable after almost two thousand years of burial.
Material: terracotta with remnants of polychromy and engobes.
Dimensions: 46 × 16 × 10 cm approx.
Condition: archaeological state. Shows wear and losses of polychromy, surface deposits and concretions, cracks and fissures, highlighting a wide transverse crack at chest level and shoulders, as well as old 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 Chinese ancient funerary sculpture.
CHINA, HAN DYNASTY (206 BCE–220 CE)
Important funerary figure of a terracotta warrior or guard in polychrome terracotta — Mingqi
An 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 BCE–220 CE).
The figure appears upright and frontal, dressed in a long, wide-sleeved tunic over trousers, preserving significant remnants of its ancient pictorial decoration in dark, cream, and red tones. Notably, a diagonal red band crosses the torso.
The right arm is bent and raised, the hand clenched, while the left arm descends along the body. This arrangement indicates that originally the figure would have held weapons, staffs, or other attributes made separately, now lost, a common circumstance in this type of funerary sculpture.
The face, deliberately schematic yet expressive, features modestly modeled eyes, nose, and mouth, crowned by a distinctive headdress.
These figures, known as mingqi, formed part of the extraordinary funerary universe of Han China. They were placed in the tombs of people of rank to symbolically reproduce in the Afterlife the entourage, servants, and everyday life elements that the deceased had enjoyed.
Han funerary sculpture represents one of the great evolutions of ancient Chinese art after the famous Qin army of terracotta: in contrast to the monumentality of that ensemble, Han artists developed numerous figures of guards, soldiers, servants, musicians, animals, and domestic scenes intended to populate authentic underground palaces.
Particularly striking is the partial preservation of the original polychromy applied in cold tones, extremely vulnerable after almost two thousand years of burial.
Material: terracotta with remnants of polychromy and engobes.
Dimensions: 46 × 16 × 10 cm approx.
Condition: archaeological state. Shows wear and losses of polychromy, surface deposits and concretions, cracks and fissures, highlighting a wide transverse crack at chest level and shoulders, as well as old 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 Chinese ancient funerary sculpture.
Details
Culture
Ancient Chinese, Han dynasty
Century/timeframe
200ac
Name of object
Mingqi warrior
Acquired from
Private collection
Year acquired
2006
Material
Terracotta
Country acquired from
Hong Kong
Condition
Very 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.
