Chinese Male Mingqi Spirit Attendant

Molded of earthenware, this petite sculpture is a type of centuries-old burial figurine known as míngqì. Such model figures were placed in tombs of individuals with high status to en...

Molded of earthenware, this petite sculpture is a type of centuries-old burial figurine known as míngqì. Such model figures were placed in tombs of individuals with high status to en...

Molded of earthenware, this petite sculpture is a type of centuries-old burial figurine known as míngqì. Such model figures were placed in tombs of individuals with high status to en...

Molded of earthenware, this petite sculpture is a type of centuries-old burial figurine known as míngqì. Such model figures were placed in tombs of individuals with high status to en...

Molded of earthenware, this petite sculpture is a type of centuries-old burial figurine known as míngqì. Such model figures were placed in tombs of individuals with high status to en...

Molded of earthenware, this petite sculpture is a type of centuries-old burial figurine known as míngqì. Such model figures were placed in tombs of individuals with high status to en...

Chinese pottery male attendant figure. Age: China, Tang Dynasty, A.D. 618 - 907 Size: Height 17.6 C.M. / Width 5.5 C.M. Condition: Well-preserved old burial condition overall with s...

A stunning set of 5 graceful terracotta figurines from the Ming Dynasty '1368-1644' AD. These elegant attendants are standing on a yellow glazed lotus flower over a high hexagonal green plinth and wear fine robes in matching green and yellow glazes. The unglazed areas have pigmented colors in red, black and white. Each is carrying essential offerings for the royal family. The head is detachable as often seen on the larger figures from this period. Meticulously detailed facial expressions have been hand-painted. Condition: Mint, finely preserved glaze and pigment, undamaged and no repairs. Provenance: Ex. Danish Collection. This set is guaranteed authentic and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity and TL Test from Laboratory Kotalla in Germany (The Oldest Thermoluminescence Testing Laboratory in the World). Dimensions: Average 54 H cms Burial figurines of graceful dancers, mystical beasts, and everyday objects reveal both how people in early China approached death and how they lived. Since people viewed the afterlife as an extension of worldly life, these figurines, called mingqi, sometimes referred as “spirit utensils” or “vessels of ghosts” disclose details of routine existence and provide insights into belief systems over a thousand-year period. The Ming dynasty was the ruling dynasty of China – then known as the Empire of the Great Ming – for 276 years (1368–1644 AD). Founded by Chu Yuan-chang, the rebel leader that was successful in removing the mongols from the throne. Chinese control was re-asserted in China and eastern Asia. Literature became more important, schools were created, and the justice system was reformed. The Ming dynasty is described by some as "one of the greatest eras of orderly government and social stability in human history,” was the last imperial dynasty in China ruled by ethnic Han Chinese. The practice of burying ceramic objects with the deceased went into decline from the 10th to the 14th Century AD. There was a revival in placing miniature representations of glazed terracotta objects such a furniture, food offerings, horses, miniature statues...

A striking Chinese Neolithic to Bronze Age burnished red pottery double handled saddle mouth storage jar, Siwa Culture (circa 1500 to 1100 BC), modern day Gansu Province, China. ...

A classic Chinese Han Dynasty "cocoon jar" of high fired burnished gray pottery, Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - 9 AD), China. The jar of typical form, w...

An unusual Chinese gray pottery pouring vessel, he, Warring States or early Han Dynasty, circa 4th - 3rd century BC, China. The pouring vessel, calle...

An attractive Neolithic Chinese burnished red pottery vessel, Qijia Culture (2200 BC - 1600 BC), modern day Gansu Province, China. The vessel of compressed globular form set on a short, pieced pedestal foot, and featuring two ear handles, a short, wide neck, and slightly everted mouth. A simple incised band decorates the otherwise plain body. The red pottery with a beautiful rich terracotta hue. The slight burnishing makes the vessel glow. The Qijia Culture was a late Neolithic...