Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 7
Sancai Mingqi Spirit Attendant
About the Item
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 ensure a safe journey to the afterlife. Meant to depict the pleasures of daily life, common burial figures were warriors, dancers, male and female figures and animals.
This míngqì is of a male attendant dressed in a long gown, hands folded in front and topped by a towering coiffure or headdress. The sculpture is coated with a pale glaze and has now weathered from age, revealing the original ceramic form.
- Dimensions:Height: 13 in (33.02 cm)Width: 4.75 in (12.07 cm)Depth: 4 in (10.16 cm)
- Style:Chinese Export (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Unknown
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. Minor structural damages.
- Seller Location:Chicago, IL
- Reference Number:
About the Seller
4.9
PAGODA RED is a renowned resource for designers as well as collectors of contemporary and ancient Chinese, Korean and Japanese art. They offer a curated edit of fine and provincial furniture, ceramics, scholars' objects, and paintings and textiles, each piece historically and geographically authentic.
Diamond Seller
These expertly vetted sellers are 1stDibs' most experienced sellers and are rated highest by our customers.
Established in 1997
1stDibs seller since 2006
1,416 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Chicago, IL
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 2 days of delivery.
More From This SellerView All
- Chinese Male Mingqi Spirit AttendantLocated in Chicago, ILMolded 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...Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Chinese Chinese Export Antiquities
MaterialsCeramic
- Chinese Male Mingqi Spirit AttendantLocated in Chicago, ILMolded 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...Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antiquities
MaterialsCeramic
- Chinese Male Mingqi Spirit AttendantLocated in Chicago, ILMolded 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...Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antiquities
MaterialsCeramic
- Green Glazed Chinese Mingqi Spirit ScholarLocated in Chicago, ILMolded 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...Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Chinese Chinese Export Antiquities
MaterialsCeramic
- Chinese Yellow Glazed Mingqi Spirit ScholarLocated in Chicago, ILMolded 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...Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antiquities
MaterialsCeramic
- Blue Glazed Chinese Mingqi Spirit ScholarLocated in Chicago, ILMolded 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...Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antiquities
MaterialsCeramic
You May Also Like
- Superb Set of 5 Elegant Court Attendants, Ming Dynasty, 1368-1644 AD TL TestedLocated in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo LeonA 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...Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Chinese Ming Antiquities
MaterialsTerracotta
- Mid-20th Century Pair of Ceramic Green Enameled Parrots China ExportLocated in Brescia, ITThis pair of fancy parrots is very decorative for its green colored enamel and very trendy in an elegant room. The parrots was not restored and there is some signs of the time, but t...Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Ceramics
MaterialsCeramic
- Rare Large Antique Bowl or Jardinière CeladonLocated in Alessandria, PiemonteAntique perfect Celadon bowl : interesting for connoisseurs. It's from 18th century and it's perfect. It was in a private Italian collection. O/481.Category
Antique 18th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antiquities
MaterialsPorcelain
- Shaped Antique Oval Chinese PlateLocated in Alessandria, PiemonteShaped antique oval Chinese plate from my private collection: simply elegant, for any use on any table. It's one of my private collection, about 35 years...Category
Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Ceramics
MaterialsCeladon
- Pair of 19th Century Chinese Hand Decorated Porcelain Scholar FiguresLocated in Houston, TXPair of 19th century Chinese hand decorated porcelain scholar figures. Stunning pair of well executed hand decorated Chinese porcelain figures...Category
Antique 19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antiquities
MaterialsPorcelain
- 19th Century Chinese Sancai Roof TileLocated in Bradenton, FL19th century Chinese Sancai roof tile. This piece is hand glazed and the painted tile is of pottery, depicting a warrior riding a large mythical drago...Category
Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Ceramics
MaterialsPottery