Ancient Chinese, Han dynasty Terracotta Funerary figure of a court attendant (mingqi) - 25 cm
07
days
07
hours
14
minutes
42
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Starting bid
€ 1
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Expert
Selected by Ruth Garrido Vila
Directed the Ifergan Collection Museum, specialising in Phoenician and Mediterranean archaeology.
Estimate € 1,700 - € 2,000
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Description from the seller
Auction description
China – Funerary figure of a court attendant (mingqi) – Han Dynasty, probably Western Han, circa 2nd–1st century BCE.
Interesting Chinese funerary figure made in molded terracotta, depicting a standing court attendant, dressed in a long ceremonial cross-collar robe. The figure adopts the solemn, frontal posture characteristic of Han funerary sculpture, with arms held before the abdomen and hands seemingly hidden beneath the wide sleeves.
With stylized proportions and markedly vertical, the body extends into a long robe that flares elegantly toward the base. The face shows deliberately sober modeling, with softly defined features and hair indicated by a dark pigment area.
Especially attractive is the preservation of traces of the original polychromy, with red pigment observed on the collar of the garment and on a sequence of vertical lines over the sleeves or hands gathered in front of the body. The surface also retains abundant traces of a clear slip preparation, along with earthy deposits and an overall patina coherent 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 lateral crack visible; nevertheless, the distinctive silhouette is preserved in its entirety and it has a very attractive sculptural presence.
These figures, known as mingqi (明器), were deposited in the tombs of Chinese elite members to represent the servants and members of the court who would accompany the deceased in the afterlife.
Material: molded terracotta with traces of slip and red and black polychromy.
Dimensions: 25.5 × 12 × 5 cm.
Proposed period: Han Dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE), probably Western Han, circa 2nd–1st century BCE.
Condition: good considering 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 TL dating, C14 dating, lapidary tests, pigment analysis or radiography scans have been conducted to check the integrity of the piece.
Auction description
China – Funerary figure of a court attendant (mingqi) – Han Dynasty, probably Western Han, circa 2nd–1st century BCE.
Interesting Chinese funerary figure made in molded terracotta, depicting a standing court attendant, dressed in a long ceremonial cross-collar robe. The figure adopts the solemn, frontal posture characteristic of Han funerary sculpture, with arms held before the abdomen and hands seemingly hidden beneath the wide sleeves.
With stylized proportions and markedly vertical, the body extends into a long robe that flares elegantly toward the base. The face shows deliberately sober modeling, with softly defined features and hair indicated by a dark pigment area.
Especially attractive is the preservation of traces of the original polychromy, with red pigment observed on the collar of the garment and on a sequence of vertical lines over the sleeves or hands gathered in front of the body. The surface also retains abundant traces of a clear slip preparation, along with earthy deposits and an overall patina coherent 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 lateral crack visible; nevertheless, the distinctive silhouette is preserved in its entirety and it has a very attractive sculptural presence.
These figures, known as mingqi (明器), were deposited in the tombs of Chinese elite members to represent the servants and members of the court who would accompany the deceased in the afterlife.
Material: molded terracotta with traces of slip and red and black polychromy.
Dimensions: 25.5 × 12 × 5 cm.
Proposed period: Han Dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE), probably Western Han, circa 2nd–1st century BCE.
Condition: good considering 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 TL dating, C14 dating, lapidary tests, pigment analysis or radiography scans have been conducted to check the integrity of the piece.
Details
Culture
Ancient Chinese, Han dynasty
Century/timeframe
206AC
Name of object
Funerary figure of a court attendant (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
25 cm
Previous owner - year acquired
1950
Width
12 cm
Previous owner - country acquired from
Hong Kong
Depth
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.
