East Asia, China, Han Dynasty, ca. 206 BCE to 220 CE. A tall pottery standing human figure with no arms and a well-sculpted head with naturalistic facial features, painted in an almost uniform orange-red color. This figure would once have had arms of wood, and clothing made of textiles; such additions have not survived over time. We know from similar examples that the heads were molded and attached to the bodies, which were carved from a single piece of clay. Additionally, this figure appears to be wearing an integral black cap with a duckbill-shaped topknot. Size: 23.25" H (59.1 cm).

This figure is of the type from Yangling. Yangling Mausoleum was constructed near Xi'an, Shaanxi province, in central eastern China, which during the Zhou, Qin, Western Han, and Tang dynasties was the eastern end of the Silk Road and home to their ruling houses. The Han Dynasty was a period of wealth and stability for China, and the burial places of their rulers reflected this prosperity. Yangling consisted of two massive burial mounds and contained more than 50,000 miniature terracotta figures that reflected the daily life of the Emperor's court, including warriors clad in full armor, like this figure probably was, servants, eunuchs, animals, as well as models of important buildings like granaries. The creation of all these pottery figures spawned a huge industry and the remains of workshops have also been found near the burial mounds.

Provenance: private Ventura County, California, USA collection

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#129179

Repairs to both legs and ankles with adhesive residue along break lines as shown. Surface wear commensurate with age, fading and abrasions to surface coloration, wear to facial features, with light earthen deposits throughout. Original wooden arms and textile clothing missing.