**Originally Listed At $3500**

East Asia, China, Han Dynasty, ca. 206 BCE to 220 CE. A handsome pair of ceramic warriors standing at attention with vibrant clothing and stern expressions., ready to defend the tomb they guard. Crowned by a neat bun beneath a pointed cap, each soldier features a stern visage of fine brows, slender eyes, a broad nose above a Fu Manchu moustache, and closed lips. Each figure is dressed in a tunic with painted armor on the chest, and likely once held a spear and shield. Guardian figures like these are part of a class of artifacts called mingqi; sometimes known as "spirit utensils" or "vessels for ghosts" since they 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 into the afterlife. They became popular in the Han Dynasty and would persist for several centuries. These are a fabulous example of this long-standing funerary tradition! Size (both about the same): 6" W x 17.9" H (15.2 cm x 45.5 cm); 18.9" H (48 cm) on included custom stand.

The Han Dynasty was a period of wealth and stability for China, and the burial places of their rulers reflected this prosperity; they held hundreds and sometimes thousands of miniature terracotta figures who reflected the daily life of the Emperor's court, including warriors clad in full armor, servants, eunuchs, animals, and models of important buildings like granaries. The creation of all these pottery figures spawned a huge industry and the remains of workshops have been found near some of the burial mounds. Even though they were produced en masse, mingqi often exhibit a high level of detail and naturalism, as seen here.

Provenance: private Vero Beach, Florida, USA collection, acquired before 2003

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#177354

Both have been professionally repaired with restoration and repainting over break lines, as well as expected surface wear commensurate with age. Otherwise, both have an excellent presentation with nice remaining detail and pigments.