Ancient Chinese, Tang Dynasty Terracotta Court lady / funerary assistant in polychrome terracotta, mingqi - 24 cm

Female funerary figure / court attendant (mingqi)
China, attributed to the Sui–early Tang dynasty, ca. late 6th–7th century CE.
Terracotta modeled with traces of polychromy.
24 × 5.5 × 6 cm approx.

Elegant Chinese terracotta funerary figure representing a lady or female court attendant, standing on a small rectangular base. The figure presents a frontal and hieratic composition, with an exceptionally streamlined body, bent arms and hands gathered in front of the torso, probably originally concealed inside the sleeves.

What stands out is especially the tall hairstyle formed by a double bun, clearly differentiated and still retaining traces of dark pigment. This type of coiffure appears documented in both Northern Dynasties female figures and during the Sui and early Tang periods; Christie’s precisely describes Northern Wei figures with hair gathered in a double knot, as well as early Tang attendants with elaborate double-knots.

The face features delicately modeled features, with an elongated nose, small mouth, and eyes and eyebrows still defined by dark pigment. The preservation of these painted details is particularly appealing. The body is covered by a long garment of almost columnar fall, slightly cinched at the waist, with the small feet visible on the base.

The surface preserves traces of reddish, orange, black pigment and possible traces of a light engobe, especially interesting on the face and clothing. These polychrome decorations are characteristic of mingqi, sculptures made to form part of the funerary equipment and to symbolically accompany the deceased in the afterlife.

The combination of a very stylized anatomy, relatively naturalistic face and elaborate hairstyle places the piece stylistically in the early Sui–Tang transition, prior to the famous Tang ladies of far more voluminous forms in the 8th century. Mature Tang figures show precisely a shift toward fuller bodies and looser garments.

Conservation status: surface wear and erosion compatible with its typology; losses of polychromy, earthy deposits, small cracks, abrasions and flaking, especially on the base. Nevertheless, it preserves a substantial part of facial definition and traces of original decoration. See the photographs carefully.

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."