Description:

East Asia, China, Han Dynasty, ca. 206 BCE to 220 CE. A pottery female figure, known as a mingqi or "spirit utensil," crafted to serve a deceased individual of high status in the afterlife. The figure stands with hands clasped at the waist, concealed by billowing sleeves, and dressed in long, flared robes. Remains of pigment are visible under the earthen encrustations. By the Han dynasty, human sacrifice had been replaced by the burial of clay models, often representing servants, warriors, entertainers, and attendants to accompany the dead. Tombs were meticulously organized, with servant figures placed in designated areas, reflecting the social hierarchy of the living world. Size: 6.5" L x 3.25" W x 17.75" H (16.5 cm x 8.3 cm x 45.1 cm)

Provenance: private Owen collection, Sussex County, New Jersey, USA, acquired in the 1990s from a US-based dealer

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#189808

  • Condition: Heavy mineral and earthen encrustations, with areas of pigment visible. Pitting and abrasions, but otherwise intact and very good.

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November 9, 2024 10:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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