Object Description
An exquisite Tang Dynasty terracotta statuette of a court lady standing in a relaxed and refined stance. Her hands are raised in an elegant gesture across her chest. The lady displays distinctive characteristics of a Tang imperial court lady such as elongated eyes, pointed nose, and a dimpled chin. Her full cheeks are painted with a light rouge-coloured pigment, and her softly smiling mouth – with a brighter red. Her hair is gathered into a characteristic court coiffure, featuring a top knot drawn-up high. She is portrayed wearing a long robe known as a Qixiong Ruqun (齐胸襦裙, a long sleeve garment including a skirt with the waistband above the breast and an upper garment tucked inside), a typical fashion during the Tang Dynasty. The garment falls to her feet with detailed pleats showing the folds in the loose fabric, giving the figure a sense of grace and dynamism. The upper part of the garment is painted in pale orange/peach with green inner lining. The remaining part of the dress is blue with a red floral pattern and red belt and shoulder straps. Most of the pigments have now bled into each other creating a beautiful effect. The figure’s shoes, Qiào tóu lǚ (翘头履, shoes with toes upturned), was another popular style in the Tang Dynasty, and would help prevent stepping on long garments. The heads of these shoes are decorated with floral patterns, and peep out from the hem of her dress. The figure stands atop a heptagonal flattened base, which features a hole underneath for the firing process.
Date: Circa 618 – 907 AD
Period: Tang Dynasty