Ancient Chinese, Han dynasty Terracotta Court lady / funerary assistant in polychrome terracotta, mingqi - 30 cm

China – Mingqi Funeral Figurine of a Court Attendant – Han Dynasty, probably Western Han, ca. 2nd–1st century BCE.

Interesting Chinese funerary figurine made in molded terracotta, depicting a standing court attendant dressed in a long ceremonial robe with a cross-collar. The figure adopts the solemn, frontal stance characteristic of Han funerary sculpture, with arms brought together at the abdomen and hands apparently hidden beneath the wide sleeves.

With stylized, markedly vertical proportions, the body extends into a long robe that elegantly widens toward the base. The face features deliberately sober modeling, with softly defined features and hair indicated by a dark pigment area.

Especially attractive is the preservation of remnants 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 the hands folded in front of the body. The surface also retains substantial traces of a light preparatory coating or engobe, along with earthy deposits and a general patina consistent with an archaeological piece.

The lower part remains hollow and open, revealing the manufacturing process of the figure. It shows superficial wear, small losses and chipping typical of its age, as well as a laterally visible crack; nonetheless, it wholly retains its characteristic silhouette and a very striking sculptural presence.

These figures, known as mingqi (明器), were deposited in the tombs of Chinese elite to represent the servants and members of the court who would accompany the deceased in the afterlife.

Material: molded terracotta with remnants of engobe and red and black polychromy.
Dimensions: 30 x 10 x 4 cm.
Proposed period: Han Dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE), probably Western Han, circa 2nd–1st century BCE.
Condition: good considering its age; wear, deposits, losses of polychromy, small flaws and a lateral crack visible in photographs.

Catawiki disclaimer: This object has been dated based on style by the seller. No further tests, such as TL dating, radiocarbon dating, lapidary tests, pigment analysis or radiography scans have been conducted to check the integrity of the piece.