Description:

East Asia, China, Han Dynasty, ca. 206 BCE to 220 CE. An earthenware oil lamp or candlestick holder from a tomb, shaped as a kneeling adult figure cradling a child in their lap. A cylindrical socket atop the figure's head once held a candle. The surface retains traces of green lead glaze, now weathered with calcified encrustations from burial. Starting in the Qin dynasty (221-206 BCE), ceramic figures like this were interred as mingqi, or "spirit goods," intended to provide for the needs of the deceased in the afterlife. These objects gradually supplanted earlier practices of human and animal sacrifice. Mingqi encompassed not only human and animal figures but also practical items such as vessels, lamps, architectural models, and representations of food. Tomb assemblages could range from a handful to several hundred items, reflecting a belief that the afterlife should replicate the comforts and daily routines of earthly life. Size: 4.5" W x 10.6" H (11.4 cm x 26.9 cm)

Provenance: Collection of Y. Kayvan, Los Angeles, California, USA, acquired from a Los Angeles, California, USA gallery acquisition dates range from the late 1990s to 2005

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#195641

  • Condition: Professionally repaired. The vessel is reattached to the head with infill along break line, repair is nearly indiscernible. Some root marks on the interior of the figure.

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July 10, 2025 8:00 AM MDT
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