Ancient Chinese, Tang Dynasty Terracotta Polychrome terracotta court lady / funerary attendant, mingqi - 23 cm
04
days
08
hours
31
minutes
15
seconds
Current bid
€ 75
Reserve price not met
Expert
Selected by Ruth Garrido Vila
Directed the Ifergan Collection Museum, specialising in Phoenician and Mediterranean archaeology.
Estimate € 750 - € 900
 | €75 | |
|---|---|---|
| €70 | |
| €65 | |
Catawiki Buyer Protection
Your payment’s safe with us until you receive your object.View details
Trustpilot 4.4 | 144490 reviews
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot.
Terracotta mingqi funerary court lady figure from the Tang dynasty, ca. 23 cm tall with original polychromy, acquired in 2008 from a Hong Kong private collection.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
China – Tang Dynasty funerary figure of a court assistant (mingqi)
Interesting Chinese funerary figure made in molded terracotta, depicting a standing court assistant, dressed in a long ceremonial cross-collar robe. The figure adopts the solemn frontal posture characteristic of Han funerary sculpture, with arms clasped in front of the abdomen and the hands apparently hidden beneath the wide sleeves.
Of stylized proportions and vertically pronounced, the body extends into a long robe that slightly widens 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 remnants of the original polychromy, with red pigment observed at the neck of the garment and a sequence of vertical lines on the sleeves or hands gathered in front of the body. The surface also retains abundant traces of a clear preparation or engobe, along with earthy deposits and a general patina coherent with an archaeological piece.
The lower part remains hollow and open, revealing the fabrication method of the figure. It shows surface wear, small losses and chipping typical of its age, as well as a lateral crack; nevertheless, it fully preserves the characteristic silhouette and a highly attractive sculptural presence.
These figures, known as mingqi (明器), were deposited in the tombs of Chinese elite members to represent the servants and court members who would accompany the deceased in the other life.
Material: molded terracotta with traces of engobe and red and black polychromy.
Dimensions: 22 x 5 x 5 cm.
Proposed period: Han Dynasty (206 B.C.–220 A.D.), probably Western Han, circa 2nd–1st century B.C.
Condition: good considering its age; wear, deposits, losses of polychromy, small faults 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.
China – Tang Dynasty funerary figure of a court assistant (mingqi)
Interesting Chinese funerary figure made in molded terracotta, depicting a standing court assistant, dressed in a long ceremonial cross-collar robe. The figure adopts the solemn frontal posture characteristic of Han funerary sculpture, with arms clasped in front of the abdomen and the hands apparently hidden beneath the wide sleeves.
Of stylized proportions and vertically pronounced, the body extends into a long robe that slightly widens 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 remnants of the original polychromy, with red pigment observed at the neck of the garment and a sequence of vertical lines on the sleeves or hands gathered in front of the body. The surface also retains abundant traces of a clear preparation or engobe, along with earthy deposits and a general patina coherent with an archaeological piece.
The lower part remains hollow and open, revealing the fabrication method of the figure. It shows surface wear, small losses and chipping typical of its age, as well as a lateral crack; nevertheless, it fully preserves the characteristic silhouette and a highly attractive sculptural presence.
These figures, known as mingqi (明器), were deposited in the tombs of Chinese elite members to represent the servants and court members who would accompany the deceased in the other life.
Material: molded terracotta with traces of engobe and red and black polychromy.
Dimensions: 22 x 5 x 5 cm.
Proposed period: Han Dynasty (206 B.C.–220 A.D.), probably Western Han, circa 2nd–1st century B.C.
Condition: good considering its age; wear, deposits, losses of polychromy, small faults 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.
Details
Culture
Ancient Chinese, Tang Dynasty
Century/timeframe
Tang dynasty (618 - 907 A.D. )
Name of object
Polychrome terracotta court lady / funerary 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
23 cm
Previous owner - year acquired
1950
Width
6 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.
