Lot 119B
East Asia, China, Han Dynasty, ca. 206 BCE to 220 CE. A slender sentinel from the tombs of ancient China, this pottery 'stick figure' embodies the elegance and simplicity of Han Dynasty funerary art. Standing with dignified posture and calm expression, the male figure is modeled in fired terracotta with long legs, an elongated torso, and finely rendered facial features including arched brows, a delicate mustache, and almond-shaped eyes set beneath a well-proportioned brow. His hair is neatly styled in a topknot, a sign of refinement and social rank. He stands bare-chested, wearing only a knee-length red-painted skirt or kilt, the pigment still clearly visible though softly faded by time. Traces of original black and white pigment cling to the face and crown, evoking the lifelike presence these figures were intended to project. Arms, once separately fashioned and attached via the socketed shoulders, are now lost, yet the posture remains evocative of formal stillness. Size: 4" L x 5" W x 24" H (10.2 cm x 12.7 cm x 61 cm)
Such figures were placed in tombs to accompany the deceased in the afterlife, forming part of vast ceramic retinues that might include soldiers, attendants, entertainers, and livestock. This minimalist style - often referred to as 'stick figures' for their tall, attenuated limbs and upright stance - reflects a move toward greater abstraction and symbolic presence during the Han period. A poignant artifact of belief and continuity, this figure speaks to the Han ideal of cosmic order, social hierarchy, and the enduring care of ancestors even in death.
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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#195661
- Condition: Missing wooden arms. Professionally repaired with restoration and repainting over break lines; all done very well and difficult to notice. Some abrasions and surface wear, commensurate with age. Otherwise, very nice presentation with good remaining pigments.
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