**First Time At Auction**

East Asia, China, Ming Dynasty, ca. 1368 to 1644 CE. A pair of mold-made and glazed ceramic soldier figures dressed in heavy armor standing guard upon integral hexagonal pedestals. Both are elaborately grabbed in plated chest plates, lion head shoulder pads, belt, lamellar waist panels, and tunics that hang almost to their boots. The heads were molded separately from the body and can be removed from the neck and a tall, conical helmet protects their heads. Both are glazed in a sancai green and yellow with painted pigments in white, green, black, and orange. One figure holds a pair of maces, and the other brandishes a sword. Size: 4.75" W x 14.75" H (12.1 cm x 37.5 cm)

Tomb attendants like these are part of a class of artifacts called mingqi - sometimes known as "spirit utensils" or "vessels for ghosts." They became popular in the Han Dynasty and would persist for several centuries. Alongside protective warriors were musicians, athletes, animals, and structures. Even though they were often mass produced, mingqi often show a high level of detail and naturalism. These were designed to assist the po, the part of the soul of the deceased that remained underground with the body while the hun, the other part of the soul, ascended.

Provenance: private New Jersey, USA collection; ex-Senatus Consulto; ex-Hong Kong collection, formed in the 1990s

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Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#173068

Minor nicks to high pointed areas of both and glazing / firing imperfections, otherwise both are intact and very good. Some fading to painted pigments. Sancai glazing is well preserved and vibrant.