East Asia, China, Han Dynasty, ca. 206 BCE to 220 CE. A fine pair of mold-formed pottery heads of tomb attendants meant to accompany the body of a deceased individual. The male head exhibits a nearly uniform black hue and features slender eyes, a bulbous nose, and a centrally parted coiffure that culminates in a perforated bun on the verso. The second head, perhaps female, bears remains of yellow, white, and red-pink pigment across her face and coiffure as she stares forward with thin eyes and rounded cheeks. Size (unpainted): 3.35" W x 4.35" H (8.5 cm x 11 cm); 6.4" H (16.3 cm) on included custom stand; (painted): 3.73" W x 3.93" H (9.5 cm x 10 cm)

Provenance: Whisnant Gallery, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA acquired prior to 2000

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#169853

Black-painted head repaired from 2 large pieces with additional chipping atop proper right ear, with light adhesive residue along break lines; painted head is intact and very good. Both heads are fragments of larger pottery compositions as shown. Both heads have small nicks and chips, light abrasions, and softening to some finer details, with fading to pigment in some areas on painted head. Nice earthen deposits throughout.