Tang Dynasty terracotta figure of a soldier, 8th century AD
$465.00 AUD
Chinese terracotta figure of a soldier, modeled standing with one hand by his side, one hel to his chest, dressed in a redish hooded cloak over white ‘trousers’, standing on a low plinth base.
Tang Dynasty,
8th century AD
19cm
Signs of original white paint, the present surface stable but dusty, other signs of age & burial with some dirt remaining inside. Original ‘rift’ to the top of head where the clay hasn’t quite filled the mould. No restoration.
These terracotta figures were mould-made in large quantities when a notable person died in Tang Dynasty China. Their purpose was to firstly be displayed in the funeral procession – the quantity showing the importance of the recently departed – and then being placed in the tomb where they were to serve the departed in the afterlife. They have survived in vast numbers, and are perhaps the most common of ancient Chinese artifacts from the Han through to the Ming Dynasty. After the Ming the practice declined, although there is an echo in the current funerary practice of burning models of every-day items such as money & mobile phones….
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