Tang Dynasty Glazed Soldier

Object Description

An Ancient Chinese Tang Dynasty hollow-moulded straw-glazed terracotta statuette of a soldier or court attendant. The figure is portrayed standing on an integral rectangular base, wearing a knee-length tunic belted around the hips. His right arm is raised to his chest, with a hole in the top of his hand for the holding of an incense stick, and his left arm is raised to his stomach. His hair is swept up into the military headdress typical in the Tang period. Facial and anatomical features are rendered in a sophisticated manner, with great attention given to the details.

Date: Circa 618-906 AD
Period: Tang Dynasty

Object Condition

Fine, top of the head and legs from below the knee restored, executed in white plaster, unglazed. Crack on the left side of the head due to firing, retouching to the glaze on the left side of the torso. There is a small hole in the plaster on the back of the restored legs. Extensive chipping to the base, minor chipping of the glaze over the whole and visible craquelure. Encrustations over the whole.

Object Details