Tang Dynasty Terracotta Court Attendant Statuette

An ancient Chinese, Tang Dynasty, terracotta statuette, depicting a finely robed court attendant. The figure is depicted standing, with relaxed shoulders, and his right hand raised to his chest. He dons a long-sleeved, knee-length robe, cinched beneath his stomach, and a loosely-draped headpiece that reaches over his shoulders. The garments feature careful incisions portraying the folds in the drapery and are coloured in a pale red pigment. The skin of his hands and face is indicated through the use of white pigment, and the facial features have been delicately sculpted. The eyes and brows are further detailed in dark pigment, with red paint used for the mouth. A small hole in the crook of his right arm, now filled with earthy encrustation, once would have held an ornament or perhaps incense. Several hairline cracks and scratches feature across the body, alongside minor pitting and earthy encrustations. Indentations and some white pigment feature on the reverse.