CHINESE MING DYNASTY GLAZED TERRACOTTA ATTENDANT

Ca. 1368-1644 AD or later
A glazed-terracotta figurine depicting an attendant in an upright position, standing atop an integral, small base. The gentleman is dressed in a carefully glazed robe, which is beautifully detailed and adds a sense of elegance and refinement to the piece. The most striking feature of this mingqi is the level of detail that has been lavished on the gentleman's face. Every feature, from his eyes to his nose to his mouth, is rendered with incredible precision and skill, creating a sense of realism and individuality that is truly remarkable. Mingqi were an important part of Chinese funerary art during the Ming Dynasty, and they were often used to provide the deceased with the objects and attendants they would need in the afterlife. These figures were typically made from unglazed earthenware or glazed pottery, and they were often highly detailed and elaborately decorated. Cf. Christie's Live Auction 5564, Asian Art, 15 September 2005, Lot 407.
Size: L:180mm / W:50mm ; 275g
Provenance: East Anglian private collection; formerly acquired in the early 1990s in Hong Kong.
Estimate: GBP 150 - 300