Description:

East Asia, China, Tang Dynasty, ca. 618 to 907 CE. A mold-formed terracotta hollow tomb attendant, known as a mingqi, in the form of a court musician. The figure depicts a woman wearing long robes, standing facing forward and holding a pan flute, or paixiao. The surface retains much of its original painted pigment. Mingqi, or mortuary wares, were created to resemble people, animals, and structures, and were entombed with the deceased to accompany them in the afterlife. These figures were believed to provide aid or entertainment, such as music, recreating the life the deceased might have lived - or wished to have lived! Size: 3.75" L x 3.5" W x 13.75" H (9.5 cm x 8.9 cm x 34.9 cm)

Provenance: private London, UK collection; ex-private Bath, UK collection, acquired in Hong Kong in the 1980s - 1990s

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.

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#190223

  • Condition: Small hole on verso from old probe, but otherwise intact and excellent. Heavy earthen encrustations on the interior. Fading and losses to pigment, but good remains throughout.

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November 22, 2024 8:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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Bid Increments
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