East Asia, China, Han dynasty, ca. 206 BCE to 220 CE. A fabulous ensemble of 9 mold-made pottery attendant figures embellished with paints in hues of pink, tan, grey, cream, brown, and red. All of these ancient figures are dressed in lengthy robes with their hair tied up atop their heads; 3 with a double or single bun coiffure, while the rest are topped by a headdress or draped in a veil or hood. Though they are all standing, the fascinating sculptures display a variety of poses; 5 of the figures fold their hands together at their chests, 2 figures place their right hands on their bellies while their left arms rest at their sides, 1 figure raises her right arm to her shoulder and sways to her left, and the last clenches his right hand in a fist at his hip as he holds his left arm up above his head. Size of largest: 3" W x 10.625" H (7.6 cm x 27 cm)
The Han Dynasty was a period of wealth and stability for China, and the burial places of their rulers reflected this prosperity. Inside of burial mounds, hundreds and sometimes thousands of figures were placed, recreating the daily life of the Emperor's court or a noble person's world. The creation of all these pottery figures spawned a huge industry, and the remains of workshops have also been found near burial mounds.
Provenance: ex-Phoenicia Holyland Antiquities, New York City, New York, USA, before 2010
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#162720
Condition
Figure with arm out has had arm reattached with upper half of arm missing. White figure had head reattached and missing feet. Tallest figure had base repaired from several pieces. Second tallest figure and swaying figure had heads reattached. All have nicks, chips, softening of detail, and abrasions commensurate with age. Otherwise, nice with rich earthen deposits throughout.