**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

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

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.

#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.