Lot 119
East Asia, China, Han Dynasty, ca. 206 BCE to 220 CE. A commanding presence from China's first great imperial era, this terracotta warrior figure stands with quiet strength, clothed in the fading hues of his original polychrome paint. Modeled in fired clay and retaining areas of red and white pigment, the figure represents a standing infantryman or guard, one of many such attendants created to accompany the deceased into the afterlife. The figure wears a belted tunic with a wide collar, its hem flaring just above the knees, and pants tucked into sturdy boots. His upright posture, squared shoulders, and strong legs suggest vigilance and readiness, while the arms are hollowed at the ends, once designed to hold now-lost weapons or tools. His face is solemn, with painted brows, eyes, and a narrow mustache rendered in black pigment, giving him a watchful, austere expression. Size: 5.1" L x 7" W x 20.4" H (13 cm x 17.8 cm x 51.8 cm)
Pottery figures like this were commonly placed in tombs during the Han Dynasty to serve as symbolic guardians or laborers in the spirit world. Unlike the massed armies of the earlier Qin Dynasty, Han tomb retinues often included diverse figures: warriors, musicians, servants, and animals, forming a miniature world of protection and comfort. This figures style reflects the aesthetic shift of the period - less rigidly militaristic, more naturalistic and individualized.
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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#195066
- Condition: Proper left foot professionally reattached with some minor chipping along visible break line. Surface wear with some nicks and pitting in areas commensurate with age, but, otherwise, very nice with good remaining pigments and rich earthen deposits throughout.
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