East Asia, China, West Han Dynasty, ca. 206 BCE to 8 CE. A large, hand-built pottery human figure with lengthy, delineated legs. The figure stands nude with male genitalia beneath a slender torso, lightly rounded pectoral muscles, recessed mortises for articulated arms, and a slender neck. The bulbous head features almond-shaped eyes, a petite nose with flared nostrils, thin, pursed lips with recessed corners, and tab-shaped ears, all beneath a coiffure drawn back into a bun. The pale orange-slipped body imbues the figure with a flesh-like presentation, and the nude nature suggests the legs, body, and original wooden arms were at one time covered in additional textile clothing or armor. A tall and finely constructed example of ancient Han funerary traditions! Size: 3.625" W x 23.1" H (9.2 cm x 58.7 cm); 23.375" H (59.4 cm) on included custom stand.
This figure is of the type from Yangling. Yangling Mausoleum was constructed near Xi'an, Shaanxi province, in central eastern China, which during the Zhou, Qin, Western Han, and Tang dynasties was the eastern end of the Silk Road and home to their ruling houses. The Han Dynasty was a period of wealth and stability for China, and the burial places of their rulers reflected this prosperity. Yangling consisted of two massive burial mounds and contained more than 50,000 miniature terracotta figures who reflected the daily life of the Emperor's court, including warriors clad in full armor, like this figure probably was, servants, eunuchs, animals, and models of important buildings like granaries. The creation of all these pottery figures spawned a huge industry and the remains of workshops have also been found near the burial mounds.
Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection
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#148402
Condition
Repaired from multiple large pieces, with light restoration, resurfacing, and overpainting along break lines. Original arms and clothing missing. Minor chips and abrasions to legs, body, and head, with softening to some finer details particularly on face, fading to original pigmentation, and light encrustations. Nice earthen deposits throughout.