Selection of Ming Dynasty Glazed Attendants

A finely moulded pair of glazed Chinese Ming Dynasty earthenware figures. Each figure has been portrayed standing, wearing long, flowing robes, coloured in a vivid blue and deep amber yellow. The hair is tied into an elaborate top-knot and coloured in a dull brown. This, and other areas left bare, would have been ‘cold-painted’ after firing, to contrast with the vivid fired blue and amber pigments. Figurines of this type would have been placed in the tomb of the deceased to lead his way into the afterlife. Both figurines are standing on a rectangular base.

Date: Circa 1368-1644 AD
Period: Ming Dynasty
Condition: Very fine condition.
Choice of item A B
Clear selection

This product is currently out of stock and unavailable.

The Ming Dynasty played host to some of China’s most renowned artistic achievements. The culture’s artistic explosion can be in part explained by the Ming dynasty’s economic success. Statuettes, such as these beautiful examples, would have been displayed amongst the processional group within a tomb, most likely before a sedan chair or palanquin and before the musician figures. They would have served a ceremonial purpose – to announce the arrival of the tomb occupant. The vivid blue and dark yellow colours on these figures are reminiscent of ‘Fahua ware’ figurines and pottery. Fahua ware refers to a colour palette used for decoration, which includes deep blue, turquoise, purple, yellow, and green.

To discover more about Chinese terracotta statuettes, please visit our relevant blog post: Terracotta Tomb Attendants

 

Choice of item

,

Country

Culture

Pottery and Porcelain

Region

You may also like…