Ancient Chinese, Tang Dynasty Terracotta Court lady / funerary assistant in polychrome terracotta, mingqi - 11.5 cm
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Selected by Ruth Garrido Vila
Directed the Ifergan Collection Museum, specialising in Phoenician and Mediterranean archaeology.
Estimate € 650 - € 800
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Terracotta mingqi figure of a Tang dynasty court lady or funeral attendant, with engobe and remaining polychromy, dating to circa 700–750 CE, height 11.5 cm, provenance including acquisition in 2008 from a private collection via Hong Kong and a previous owner from a gallery/antiquarian in Hong Kong dating to 1950, authenticity marked Original/oficial.
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Description from the seller
China – Tang Dynasty (618–907), c. 700–750 CE. Court lady / funerary terracotta figurine, polychrome mingqi.
Elegant Chinese funerary figure made in molded terracotta, representing a court lady or attendant standing. The figure adopts a frontal, serene posture, with arms folded and hands hidden beneath the wide sleeves at waist height. She wears a long robe that descends to form a widened base, while the neckline is defined by a fine reddish band in the shape of a V.
The face, with soft features and restrained expression, is framed by a dark coiffure, still clearly distinguished by traces of black pigmentation. The surface retains abundant vestiges of white slip, as well as traces of red, black and gray pigments, especially visible on the clothing and hair.
The figure belongs to the mingqi tradition, funerary objects placed in the tombs of Chinese elites to symbolically reproduce their domestic environment, retinue and attendants in the afterlife. Tang female figures also constitute an important testimony to the fashion and sophisticated court culture of the period. The Metropolitan and Cleveland preserve very close examples of Tang ladies and funerary attendants with white slip and residual polychromy.
Material: terracotta with slip and remnants of polychromy.
Origin: China.
Period: Tang dynasty, probably ca. 700–750 CE.
Dimensions: 25.5 × 12.5 × 5 cm.
Condition: archaeological conservation, with general wear to the slip and polychromy, earthy deposits, abrasions, small surface losses and age-related cracks. The lower opening allows observing the hollow construction of the figure. It preserves a noticeable amount of original pigment.
Catawiki disclaimer: This object has been dated based on style by the seller. No further tests, such as TL dating, C14 dating, lapidary tests, analysis of pigments or radiography scans have been conducted to check the piece's integrity.
China – Tang Dynasty (618–907), c. 700–750 CE. Court lady / funerary terracotta figurine, polychrome mingqi.
Elegant Chinese funerary figure made in molded terracotta, representing a court lady or attendant standing. The figure adopts a frontal, serene posture, with arms folded and hands hidden beneath the wide sleeves at waist height. She wears a long robe that descends to form a widened base, while the neckline is defined by a fine reddish band in the shape of a V.
The face, with soft features and restrained expression, is framed by a dark coiffure, still clearly distinguished by traces of black pigmentation. The surface retains abundant vestiges of white slip, as well as traces of red, black and gray pigments, especially visible on the clothing and hair.
The figure belongs to the mingqi tradition, funerary objects placed in the tombs of Chinese elites to symbolically reproduce their domestic environment, retinue and attendants in the afterlife. Tang female figures also constitute an important testimony to the fashion and sophisticated court culture of the period. The Metropolitan and Cleveland preserve very close examples of Tang ladies and funerary attendants with white slip and residual polychromy.
Material: terracotta with slip and remnants of polychromy.
Origin: China.
Period: Tang dynasty, probably ca. 700–750 CE.
Dimensions: 25.5 × 12.5 × 5 cm.
Condition: archaeological conservation, with general wear to the slip and polychromy, earthy deposits, abrasions, small surface losses and age-related cracks. The lower opening allows observing the hollow construction of the figure. It preserves a noticeable amount of original pigment.
Catawiki disclaimer: This object has been dated based on style by the seller. No further tests, such as TL dating, C14 dating, lapidary tests, analysis of pigments or radiography scans have been conducted to check the piece's integrity.
Details
Culture
Ancient Chinese, Tang 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
11.5 cm
Previous owner - year acquired
1950
Width
4 cm
Previous owner - country acquired from
Hong Kong
Depth
4 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.
