Lot 61
**First Time At Auction**
East Asia, China, Tang Dynasty, ca. 618 to 906 CE. A pair of wonderful attendant figures, each covered in thick, colorful, sancai glaze in hues of emerald marigold, and chocolate brown. Both wearing floor-length robes beneath long shawls, the figures stand with their hands clasped in front of their chests. They gaze forward presenting wide, staring eyes, petite noses, and slight smiles. The larger wears an elaborate, double-bun coiffure, while the other sports a domed headdress. Size of larger: 2.9" W x 10.2" H (7.4 cm x 25.9 cm)
The Tang Dynasty was a golden age in China, when its control of oases along the Silk Road allowed both the export of Chinese goods and the import of people and ideas from places like India, Persia, and even further afield. The capital city, Changan (modern day Xian) had 2 million inhabitants, making it one of the largest cities in the world at the time, and there was a large class of literati and artisans supported by the government who lived there. This artisan class had the luxury to produce these beautiful figures. After a mold was used to form them into basic shapes, artists would then use scrapers and hand-modelling to give them their individuality.
These pieces have been tested using thermoluminescence (TL) analysis and have been found to be ancient and of the period stated. A full printed and bound report is available to the buyer upon request.
Provenance: ex-Nancy and Dr. E.F. Simpson collection, Los Angeles, California, USA, acquired from 1970 to 2000
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance),
we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
#172201
- Condition: Larger has had head reattached with some minor losses along break lines, as well as chipping to coiffure, base, and left eye. Both have light surface wear with nicks and abrasions. Otherwise, more petite figure is intact and both are excellent with impressive remaining glaze and nice earthen deposits. Larger has TL holes to base, back of head, and beneath chin, while more petite figure has TL holes on base and back of head.
Accepted Forms of Payment:
American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Shipping
Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense
Artemis Fine Arts
You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 26.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.
View full terms and conditions
| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $299 | $25 |
| $300 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $19,999 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $49,999 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $20,000 |