**Originally Listed At $1200**

East Asia, China, Han Dynasty, ca. 206 BCE to 220 CE. A pair of ceramic archers, crafted using molds, poised with raised arms in preparation to release arrows - their right arms are drawn back while the left arms are elevated to support the bows. One archer still possesses a significant portion of the bow and the surfaces of each are covered with a dark, leaded-green glaze. These attendants known as "mingqi" were specifically fashioned to safeguard and serve the departed in the afterlife and may have once been part of a watchtower structure that was buried with the deceased. Mingqi give invaluable information surrounding ancient funerary rituals and the strong belief of life after death. Size: 2.2" W x 3" H (5.6 cm x 7.6 cm); 4" H (10.2 cm) on included custom stand.

Compare to a similar example at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession # 36.12.13.

Provenance: private Vero Beach, Florida, USA collection acquired in 1980's

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#164039

Archer with bow is repaired with head, arm, and bow reattached with visible break lines and adhesive residue. Chips and losses to bow and arm. Smaller figure is missing bow. Chips and losses to arms. Mineral deposits and encrustations on the surfaces of both.