Chinese Tomb Figure of a Standing Attendant / Soldier
Sculpture, freestanding ceramic funerary figure mounted on a custom wooden base • Anonymous Chinese artisan, provincial workshop
Style & Movement
Ancient Chinese Traditional Funerary Art (Mingqi)
Medium & Technique
Earthenware, molded and hand-finished, with remnants of white slip and polychrome pigments
Creation Period
Likely Han dynasty (202 BCE – 220 CE) or Tang dynasty (618–907 CE) tradition, possibly a later reproduction or traditional scholarly copy
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 25 to 35 cm in height including base, upright vertical format
Subject Description
A standing human figure, possibly a military guard or court attendant, wearing a traditional robe and a distinctive tall hat or helmet, with hands held together near the chest in a respectful gesture
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good. Shows extensive surface weathering, loss of original polychromy and slip, and age-related degradation typical of excavated burial pottery.
Estimated Market Value
300 - 800 USD
Auction Estimate
200 - 500 USD
Provenance History
Acquired through the international Asian art market or private estate collection; typical of artifacts exported from China during the mid-20th century or later decades.
Art Historical Significance
Represents the ancient Chinese tradition of 'mingqi' (spirit objects), created to accompany the deceased into the afterlife to serve and protect them.
Notable Features
Mounted on a traditional dark-finished tiered wooden display base, retaining mottled grey-white earthen surface texture indicative of burial context.
Condition Issues
Significant loss of pigment and white slip coating, surface abrasion, soil encrustation residues, and potential old repairs or stabilization.
Conservation Recommendations
Keep in a stable indoor environment away from high humidity and direct sunlight. Clean gently with a soft dry brush only; avoid liquid solvents to preserve remaining slip and pigment.