China, Han Dynasty, ca. 206 BCE to 220 CE. A hollow, mold-made pottery human figure showing a kneeling man, with a realistic and detailed painted face, wearing a robe and a hat, with arms outstretched. The lower arms are missing but not broken off; they were most likely made as a separate piece attached to whatever he was once holding, perhaps a musical instrument (musicians are common tomb figures). The figure is painted with white, red, and a very bright, almost orange red. The Han Dynasty was a period of wealth and stability for China, and the burial places of their rulers reflected this prosperity - inside of burial mounds, hundreds and sometimes thousands of miniatures figures were placed, recreating the daily life of the Emperor's court or a noble person's world. The creation of all these pottery figures spawned a huge industry and the remains of workshops have also been found near the burial mounds. This example's face is particularly well done. Size: 4.75" W x 10.3" H (12.1 cm x 26.2 cm)

Provenance: Ex-Private FL collection

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#117525

Intact, with surface wear commensurate with age, including wear to paint. Arms were once attached and are now missing.