Ancient Chinese, Tang Dynasty Terracotta Court lady / funerary assistant in polychrome terracotta, mingqi - 25 cm
06
days
18
hours
16
minutes
25
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Starting bid
€ 1
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Selected by Ruth Garrido Vila
Directed the Ifergan Collection Museum, specialising in Phoenician and Mediterranean archaeology.
Estimate € 1,000 - € 1,300
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A polychrome terracotta funerary figure of a Chinese court attendant, from the Tang dynasty (618–907), measuring 25 × 12 × 5 cm.
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Description from the seller
China – Funerary figure of a court attendant (mingqi) – TANG Dynasty
An interesting Chinese funerary figure made of molded terracotta, depicting a standing court attendant dressed in a long ceremonial cross-collar robe. The figure adopts the characteristic solemn, frontal pose of Han funerary sculpture, with the arms gathered in front of the abdomen and the hands seemingly concealed beneath the wide sleeves.
With its stylized, markedly vertical proportions, the body extends into a long robe that widens elegantly toward the base. The face is modeled in a deliberately restrained manner, with softly defined features and hair indicated by a darkly pigmented area.
Particularly appealing is the preservation of traces of the original polychromy, including red pigment on the neckline of the garment and in a series of vertical lines on the sleeves or hands gathered in front of the body. The surface also retains abundant traces of a light-colored preparatory layer or slip, along with earthy deposits and an overall patina consistent with an archaeological object.
The lower part is hollow and open, revealing the figure’s method of manufacture. It shows surface wear, small losses, and chips consistent with its age, as well as a visible crack on the side; nevertheless, it retains its characteristic silhouette in its entirety and has a very appealing sculptural presence.
These figures, known as mingqi (明器), were placed in the tombs of members of the Chinese elite 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–AD 220), probably Western Han, circa 2nd–1st century BC.
Condition: good considering its age; wear, deposits, losses of polychromy, small chips, and a lateral crack are 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 – Funerary figure of a court attendant (mingqi) – TANG Dynasty
An interesting Chinese funerary figure made of molded terracotta, depicting a standing court attendant dressed in a long ceremonial cross-collar robe. The figure adopts the characteristic solemn, frontal pose of Han funerary sculpture, with the arms gathered in front of the abdomen and the hands seemingly concealed beneath the wide sleeves.
With its stylized, markedly vertical proportions, the body extends into a long robe that widens elegantly toward the base. The face is modeled in a deliberately restrained manner, with softly defined features and hair indicated by a darkly pigmented area.
Particularly appealing is the preservation of traces of the original polychromy, including red pigment on the neckline of the garment and in a series of vertical lines on the sleeves or hands gathered in front of the body. The surface also retains abundant traces of a light-colored preparatory layer or slip, along with earthy deposits and an overall patina consistent with an archaeological object.
The lower part is hollow and open, revealing the figure’s method of manufacture. It shows surface wear, small losses, and chips consistent with its age, as well as a visible crack on the side; nevertheless, it retains its characteristic silhouette in its entirety and has a very appealing sculptural presence.
These figures, known as mingqi (明器), were placed in the tombs of members of the Chinese elite 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–AD 220), probably Western Han, circa 2nd–1st century BC.
Condition: good considering its age; wear, deposits, losses of polychromy, small chips, and a lateral crack are 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
Court lady / funerary assistant in polychrome terracotta, 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.
