East Asia, China, Han Dynasty, ca. 206 BCE to 220 CE. A handsome and quite sizable example of a ceramic standing warrior, made to be placed into a tomb. The figure stands at attention - probably once with a spear and a shield in the openings in his hands - dressed in a red, black, and white tunic with painted armor on the chest. He wears this tunic above a long white skirt and black and white boots. His face and hair are nicely depicted, with broad cheeks and nose and painted eyes, mouth, eyebrows, and thin Fu Manchu style mustache. Size: 7.1" W x 19.9" H (18 cm x 50.5 cm)
The Han Dynasty was a period of wealth and stability for China, and the burial places of their rulers reflected this prosperity; they held hundreds and sometimes thousands of miniature terracotta figures who reflected the daily life of the emperor's court, including entertaining court figures like this one, warriors clad in full armor, 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 been found near some of the burial mounds.
Provenance: ex-Barakat Gallery, Beverly Hills, California, USA, acquired prior to 2000
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#175232
Condition
Professionally repaired with restoration and some areas of repainting. Expected surface wear commensurate with age as shown, but otherwise excellent with nice preservation of pigments.