Lot 9A
Chinese Han Dynasty Pottery Stick Figure Attendant
Chinese Han Dynasty Pottery Stick Figure Attendant
Starting Bid: $450
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East Asia, China, Han Dynasty, ca. 206 BCE to 220 CE. A tall, slender pottery figure of a standing male attendant from the Han dynasty, notable for its abstract proportions and surviving pigment. Known as a "stick figure" due to the cylindrical torso and lack of molded arms, this minimalist form was designed to be clothed in perishable garments that have long since disappeared. The remaining surface reveals a strong formal presence, with bare chest, straight posture, and a vibrant red painted skirt extending to the knees. The figure's face is delicately modeled with narrow eyes, a softly defined nose, and pursed lips, framed by a low coiffure and a band of red pigment encircling the forehead. Though simple in execution, the visage conveys a quiet dignity, typical of Han tomb sculptures intended to serve and accompany the deceased in the afterlife. Size: 5" W x 24" H (12.7 cm x 61 cm)
The use of earthenware coated in white slip and mineral pigments was a common practice for mingqi (spirit goods), the ceramic figures placed in elite burials to provide for the spirit's needs beyond death. This example, with its elongated neck and tapered cylindrical body, reflects the shift during the Western Han period toward stylization and symbolic presence rather than lifelike realism. Stick figures such as this were typically arranged in rows within tomb chambers, representing attendants, guards, or ceremonial officials. The red skirt, vividly preserved, likely signified rank or function, with similar forms found in excavations from Henan, Shaanxi, and Shanxi provinces.
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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#195659
- Condition: Missing wooden arms. Professionally repaired with restoration and repainting over break lines. Light surface wear with some nicks and scratches commensurate with age. Otherwise, excellent presentation with good remaining pigments.
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| 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 |