Object Description
A pair of finely sculpted terracotta Tang court ladies, both depicted seated upon a concave stool carved with curved motifs and two horizontal red ribbed bands across the middle. Their faces are sensitively moulded with full cheeks, a small, dimpled chin, delicately carved mouths and noses, and elongated eyes. Their lips are painted in bright red and the cheeks with a light rouge-coloured pigment, rendering an attractive representation of rosy skin. They are both portrayed wearing a long robe with a low-cut neckline and a high waistband tied in a bow just below the breast, emphasising their plump body shapes. Their shoes, warped-toe shoes (翘头履, Qiao Tou Lü), was a popular style in Tang Dynasty among both women and men, and would help prevent stepping on long garments. The heads of these shoes are decorated with floral patterns.
NB. Fat Lady holding a fan (Item B) is accompanied by a positive TL test from Oxford Authentication, sample C122k21.
The figurines are priced INDIVIDUALLY. Available for purchase as a pair at £4,250.
Date: Circa 618-906 AD
Period: Tang Dynasty