中国古代，汉朝 Terracotta 娱乐人物 / 怪诞角色 - 21 cm

entertainer / grotesque character figure

China, attributed to the Han dynasty, probably Eastern Han, circa 1st–2nd centuries CE.
Terracotta modeled with remnants of polychromy.
21 × 14 × 10.5 cm approx.

A singular anthropomorphic terracotta figure probably representing an entertainment character, jester, acrobat, or funeral performer, conceived within the Mingqi tradition, objects made to accompany the deceased in the afterlife.

The figure presents a deliberately expressive anatomy: robust body, legs very apart and firmly planted, torso tilted, and a large head characterized by prominent cheeks, broad nose, and a pronounced smiling expression, traits that give the piece a notable sculptural strength and an almost theatrical character.

It preserves extensive traces of its original decoration, especially reddish pigment on the lower part of the body and remnants of light and dark tones on the face, torso, and limbs. The surface shows irregularities, deposits, abrasions, and losses typical of an archaeological terracotta. The construction is hollow, clearly visible from the underside of the legs.

This type of comic characters and entertainers acquired special relevance during the Han. Sotheby’s describes examples of shuochang — narrators and artists — with exaggerated postures and comic expressions that were deposited in tombs to continue providing entertainment to the deceased.

Condition: general wear, losses of polychromy, surface deposits, small losses and erosions typical of antiquity. An old collection tag remains on the back. See photographs.

Catawiki disclaimer: This object has been dated based on style by the seller. No further tests, such as TL testing, C14 testing, lapidary tests, analysis of pigments or radiography scans have been conducted to check the integrity of the piece.