Ancient Chinese

China – funerary figure of a court attendant (mingqi) – Han Dynasty, probably Western Han, ca. 2nd–1st century BCE. Interesting Chinese funerary figure made in molded terracotta, representing a standing court attendant, robed in a long ceremonial crossed-neck tunic. The figure adopts the solemn frontal pose characteristic of Han funerary sculpture, with the arms brought together before the abdomen and the hands apparently hidden beneath the wide sleeves. With stylized proportions and markedly vertical, the body extends into a long tunic that elegantly broadens toward the base. The face presents deliberately sober modeling, with softly defined features and hair indicated by a dark-pigmented area. Especially attractive is the preservation of remnants of the original polychromy, with red pigment observed on the neckline of the garment and on a sequence of vertical lines over the sleeves or hands folded in front of the body. The surface also preserves abundant traces of a light preparatory coating or slip, along with earthy deposits and a general patina consistent with an archaeological piece. The lower part remains hollow and open, showing the manufacturing procedure of the figure. It shows surface wear, small losses and chips typical of its age, as well as a visible lateral crack; nevertheless, it retains the distinctive silhouette and a very attractive sculptural presence. These figures, known as mingqi (明器), were placed in the tombs of Chinese elite members 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: 22 x 5 x 5 cm. Proposed period: Han Dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE), probably Western Han, circa 2nd–1st century BCE. Condition: good considering its age; wear, deposits, losses of polychromy, small flaws and lateral crack visible in the photographs. I would necessarily add on Catawiki, if there is no scientific analysis: “Dating based on stylistic criteria. No thermoluminescence test has been performed.” This protects the description much better. 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.

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