Ancient Chinese, Tang Dynasty Terracotta Court lady / funerary assistant in polychrome terracotta, mingqi - 25 cm

China – Mingqi funeral figure of a court attendant – Tang Dynasty
Interesting Chinese funerary figure made in molded terracotta, depicting a standing court attendant, wearing a long ceremonial crossed-neck tunic. The figure adopts the solemn frontal posture typical of Han funerary sculpture, with the arms gathered before the abdomen and the hands apparently hidden beneath the wide sleeves.

With stylized proportions and distinctly vertical lines, the body extends into a long tunic that elegantly widens toward the base. The face shows deliberately sober modelling, with softly defined features and hair indicated by a dark-pigmented area.

Especially attractive is the preservation of remnants of the original polychromy, with red pigment observed on the neck of the garment and along a series of vertical lines on the sleeves or the hands gathered in front of the body. The surface also preserves abundant traces of a light undercoat or slip, together with earthy deposits and a general 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 chipping appropriate to its age, as well as a lateral visible crack; nevertheless, it wholly preserves the distinctive silhouette and a very attractive sculptural presence.

These figures, known as mingqi (明器), were placed in the tombs of members of Chinese elites to represent the servants and court members 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 BC–220 AD), probably Western Han, circa 2nd–1st century BC.
Condition: good considering its 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 a TL test, C14 test, lapidary tests, analysis of pigments or radiography scans have been conducted to check the integrity of the piece.