Ancient Chinese, Tang Dynasty Terracotta Court lady / funerary assistant in polychrome terracotta, mingqi - 23 cm

China – TANG Dynasty
Polychrome terracotta female funerary figure / court lady

Elegant Chinese funerary figure made of terracotta, probably representing a court lady or female attendant, belonging to the mingqi tradition of the Han dynasty.

The figure is shown standing upright, dressed in a long robe with a vertical drape, her arms bent and hands held together in front of her torso in a ceremonial and respectful pose. The head is particularly striking, with delicately modeled features and a serene expression, topped by a characteristic raised hairstyle divided into two side sections, indicating her female status.

The surface retains interesting traces of original polychromy, especially reddish pigmentation on the garment, as well as remnants of a light-colored ground and earthy deposits typical of an archaeological piece.

Figures of this type were made as funerary companions, intended to symbolically recreate the deceased’s retinue and daily life in the afterlife. They are among the most characteristic expressions of funerary art in Han China.

Material: Molded and polychrome terracotta.
Cultural origin: China.
Attributed period: Han dynasty, 206 BC–220 AD.
Dimensions: 23 × 5 × 4 cm.

Condition: Consistent with the attributed age. General wear, encrustations, loss of polychromy, and surface abrasions. The lower area has losses and chips along the edge of the base. A line is visible at the join between the head and body, which may correspond to the original construction or an old repair; this should be mentioned cautiously in the condition report. A substantial amount of red pigment remains, which is a positive feature aesthetically.

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.