East Asia, China, Six Dynasties period, ca. 222 to 589 CE. An incredibly rare pair of standing ceramic soldiers, created to be tomb attendants. Both were made to have hands that would once have fitted into the holes in their sleeves, probably holding weapons or other implements, although the hands are now lost. Both are dressed in red coats with black belts, collars, and sleeves; both have black shoes and creamy-white undershirts and trousers. They have nearly identical coiffures including a covered bun at the top of their heads, as was the traditional style for men. The pigments are unfired, giving them a bright, almost chalky appearance. Each figure's head is individually painted, with fine details of eyes and mouth set into a wide face. Size of each: 3.75" W x 12" H (9.5 cm x 30.5 cm); 14" H (35.6 cm) on included custom stand.

Tomb figures 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 these soldiers, there would have been animals, musicians, athletes, structures... anything the deceased might need to recreate the world of the living. Even though they were 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.

This piece has been tested using thermoluminescence (TL) and has been found to be ancient; if purchased, you will receive a report confirming its age.

Provenance: acquired by present owner in England from an old English collection in the 1970s

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#126539

Both are missing their hands (which were separate pieces). Both have small drill holes from TL testing. One has small losses around the hole left for one of the hands. Small areas of encrustation on surface. Pigment is in beautiful condition, with limited areas of manganese deposits and small losses to paint commensurate with age and handling.