Ancient Chinese, Han dynasty Pottery Huge Figure of a court lady with Thermoluminescence test (TL) and Spanish Export License. - 75.5 cm

ITEM: Figure of a court lady
MATERIAL: Pottery
CULTURE: Chinese
PERIOD: Han Dynasty, 206 B.C - 220 A.D
DIMENSIONS: 755 mm x 295 mm x 158 mm
CONDITION: Good condition. Includes Thermoluminescence test by QED Laboratory (Reference: QED1549/FC-0109)
PROVENANCE: Ex French private collection, from Toulouse, acquired in the 1980s

Comes with Certificate of Authenticity, Export license, Thermoluminescence test by QED Laboratory (Reference: QED1211/FC-0204)

If you bid outside the European Union and win the item, we will have to apply for an export licence for your country and shipping will take 3 to 5 weeks.

Figures of court ladies from the Han Dynasty (206 BCE – 220 CE) are a prominent type of mingqi (spirit objects) placed in tombs to serve the deceased in the afterlife, reflecting the Han belief in the continuity of life after death. These terracotta figures, often created using hollow molds for efficient production, represent female attendants, dancers, and musicians—a complete retinue to provide comfort, entertainment, and service to the tomb's occupant. The figures are typically portrayed in a slender, elongated, and reverent posture, with their hands held demurely below the chest, sometimes suggesting they once held an object like a fan or tray. This restrained stillness reflects their role as attendants and contrasts with the more animated figures of dancers or entertainers found in the same funerary assemblages.

The characteristic appearance of the Han court lady figures is defined by their attire and subtle facial modeling. They are dressed in shenyi, the traditional court robe, a full-length garment with long, flaring sleeves, often featuring a cross-lapel design fastened to the right. While the terracotta body is generally unglazed, the figures were once vividly painted with bright, unfired pigments—a technique that unfortunately makes the paint prone to flaking over two millennia. Traces of this original pigment often reveal details like a white-painted face to signify a fashionable pale complexion, delicately painted black eyebrows and eyes, and bright red lips. The hair is typically styled in an elegant manner, such as a high chignon or a long, low ponytail down the shoulders.

The inclusion of these ceramic court ladies and other mingqi in tombs was a direct reflection of the social status and wealth of the deceased, replacing the ancient practice of human sacrifice with figurative substitutes. By replicating the daily life of the aristocracy—complete with attendants, soldiers, animals, and models of architecture—the tomb was conceived as an eternal dwelling where the deceased could continue their privileged existence. The style of these figures, with their simple, fluid lines and contained energy, showcases the artistic refinement of the Han period and offers modern viewers a fascinating glimpse into the courtly aesthetics and deep-seated spiritual beliefs of one of China's most formative dynasties.