Ancient Chinese, Tang Dynasty Terracotta Fat Lady. TL Tested. QED Laboratory. - 37 cm

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Ruth Garrido Vila
Expert
Selected by Ruth Garrido Vila

Directed the Ifergan Collection Museum, specialising in Phoenician and Mediterranean archaeology.

Estimate  € 2,000 - € 2,500
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Description from the seller

Court lady, dressed in an elaborate hairstyle, with her hair tied back and richly adorned in a robe. Terracotta decorated with cold-applied petticoats. The figure stands out for its naturalness. Good condition of preservation.
The rise of the Fat Lady as a popular image of Chinese identity first emerged during the Zhou Dynasty, which briefly interrupted the Tang Dynasty. Women were idealized and heroized. The most famous court lady, Yang Guifei, consort of Emperor Xuanzong (712-756), is said to have significantly influenced women's fashion. Clothing and fashion were tailored to Yang's more mature figure, and for the first time, long, flowing robes with high necklines became the court fashion, accompanied by elaborate hairstyles. A particular hairstyle is often seen in sculptures of Fat Ladies, which became famous for the following story: One day, while returning from a hunt, Yang fell from her horse and her high hairstyle fell off. On the one hand, her deliciously disheveled hair made her look even more beautiful. Not surprisingly, the other ladies of the palace soon copied her style, with its disheveled appearance. Yang's influence would last for generations.
Previously, the preference for women, especially concubines, was for slender women. The new fashion of the Tang Dynasty favored plump figures. Plump women of the imperial court enjoyed their heyday. They were depicted in art and poetry and became popular within the royal household.
The typical style of Tang Fat Ladies is characterized by their broad figure, clearly visible with rounded, rosy cheeks and a curved stomach. They possess a mature, modest, and elegant figure. Their hands are delicately placed, resting on their stomachs or raised in different styles. Their hair often evokes the boundless nature described in the story of Yang, liberated from her limitations thanks to her escape on horseback.

Thermoluminescence QED Laboratory

Earthy deposits on the surface.

Provenance: European auction 2023. Private collection, Rouen, France.

Notes: The piece includes a Spanish Export License (European Union Passport). This is requested in the buyer's name at the time of sale. The process takes 2 to 4 weeks. If the piece is destined for shipments outside the European Union, a replacement export permit must be requested. This process incurs a fee that the buyer must pay during the application process. This process can take 4 to 6 weeks. SHIPPED WITH INSURANCE
The transportation cost is estimated and ultimately depends on the type of packaging, size, and weight of the boxes. The buyer will be informed of the final shipping price and will be asked to pay the difference or will be reimbursed for the difference.
Important: If the piece travels to Asia, transportation costs may vary significantly due to the current situation.

Important information. The seller guarantees that they have the right to send this batch.
The seller will ensure that the necessary permits are processed.

Seller's Story

Galería Fuentenebro emerged in 2018 to combine ancient art and contemporary art with a selection of high-quality works in a single space. Created by art experts with more than fifteen years of experience specialized in Archaeology, Antiquities of the s. XX and in the last great styles of the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s and Art Decó. In 2019 he creates a space in Madrid combining masterpieces from different eras in a single eclectic and different space. We search and select the best pieces to introduce the international market trends in Spain.
Translated by Google Translate

Court lady, dressed in an elaborate hairstyle, with her hair tied back and richly adorned in a robe. Terracotta decorated with cold-applied petticoats. The figure stands out for its naturalness. Good condition of preservation.
The rise of the Fat Lady as a popular image of Chinese identity first emerged during the Zhou Dynasty, which briefly interrupted the Tang Dynasty. Women were idealized and heroized. The most famous court lady, Yang Guifei, consort of Emperor Xuanzong (712-756), is said to have significantly influenced women's fashion. Clothing and fashion were tailored to Yang's more mature figure, and for the first time, long, flowing robes with high necklines became the court fashion, accompanied by elaborate hairstyles. A particular hairstyle is often seen in sculptures of Fat Ladies, which became famous for the following story: One day, while returning from a hunt, Yang fell from her horse and her high hairstyle fell off. On the one hand, her deliciously disheveled hair made her look even more beautiful. Not surprisingly, the other ladies of the palace soon copied her style, with its disheveled appearance. Yang's influence would last for generations.
Previously, the preference for women, especially concubines, was for slender women. The new fashion of the Tang Dynasty favored plump figures. Plump women of the imperial court enjoyed their heyday. They were depicted in art and poetry and became popular within the royal household.
The typical style of Tang Fat Ladies is characterized by their broad figure, clearly visible with rounded, rosy cheeks and a curved stomach. They possess a mature, modest, and elegant figure. Their hands are delicately placed, resting on their stomachs or raised in different styles. Their hair often evokes the boundless nature described in the story of Yang, liberated from her limitations thanks to her escape on horseback.

Thermoluminescence QED Laboratory

Earthy deposits on the surface.

Provenance: European auction 2023. Private collection, Rouen, France.

Notes: The piece includes a Spanish Export License (European Union Passport). This is requested in the buyer's name at the time of sale. The process takes 2 to 4 weeks. If the piece is destined for shipments outside the European Union, a replacement export permit must be requested. This process incurs a fee that the buyer must pay during the application process. This process can take 4 to 6 weeks. SHIPPED WITH INSURANCE
The transportation cost is estimated and ultimately depends on the type of packaging, size, and weight of the boxes. The buyer will be informed of the final shipping price and will be asked to pay the difference or will be reimbursed for the difference.
Important: If the piece travels to Asia, transportation costs may vary significantly due to the current situation.

Important information. The seller guarantees that they have the right to send this batch.
The seller will ensure that the necessary permits are processed.

Seller's Story

Galería Fuentenebro emerged in 2018 to combine ancient art and contemporary art with a selection of high-quality works in a single space. Created by art experts with more than fifteen years of experience specialized in Archaeology, Antiquities of the s. XX and in the last great styles of the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s and Art Decó. In 2019 he creates a space in Madrid combining masterpieces from different eras in a single eclectic and different space. We search and select the best pieces to introduce the international market trends in Spain.
Translated by Google Translate

Details

Culture
Ancient Chinese, Tang Dynasty
Century/ Timeframe
(618 - 906 A.D)
Name of object
Fat Lady. TL Tested. QED Laboratory.
Acquired from
Gallery / Antique dealer
Year acquired
2023
Material
Terracotta
Country acquired from
Spain
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Auction house
Height
37 cm
Previous owner - year acquired
2023
Previous owner - country acquired from
France
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
SpainVerified
80
Objects sold
100%
pro

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.

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