**Originally Listed At $1200**

East Asia, China, Han Dynasty, ca. 206 BCE to 220 CE. A splendid and sizeable pottery attendant figure, likely a soldier, shown stepping forward with his left foot as he grasps a large, ovoid shield in his left hand. Capped with a cylindrical hat, the ancient figure gazes forward, displaying sunken eyes beneath arched brows, a wide nose, high cheekbones, and full lips. His right arm falls to his side, holding his hand in a loop, as though he once held a sword or weapon of some kind. He wears long pants beneath a lengthy robe with a high collar and long sleeves. Size: 8.7" W x 20.3" H (22.1 cm x 51.6 cm)

Tomb statues like these horses 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 figures like this one were musicians, athletes, animals, structures, etc. Even though they were mass produced, mingqi of the Han Dynasty 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. Caring for the po seems to have taken on a new level of meaning in the Han period, with more elaborate rituals and tomb construction arising.

Provenance: private Masontown, Pennsylvania, USA, collection, acquired in the 1990s

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#168882

Repaired from several pieces with some break lines visible and restoration over others. Stable surface fissures to body, shield, arm, and verso. Some losses along break lines on right foot. Expected nicks, abrasions, and softening of detail, commensurate with age. Otherwise, very nice with light earthen deposits throughout.