Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 14

Tang Dynasty Museum Fat Lady and Child TL Tested

$18,000
£13,688.21
€15,788.68
CA$25,214.71
A$28,220.24
CHF 14,735.37
MX$344,288.56
NOK 187,046.17
SEK 177,495.30
DKK 117,902.41
Shipping
Retrieving quote...
The 1stDibs Promise:
Authenticity Guarantee,
Money-Back Guarantee,
24-Hour Cancellation

About the Item

Tang Dynasty polychromed fat lady with child in arm. TL Tested Terracotta, pottery with traces of orange and green paint Sui to Tang Dynasty (581-618) Measures: Height: 20.2 inches (51cm) Width: 9.45 inches (24cm) Guaranteed Authentic with corresponding TL Thermoluminescence Test conducted by Artemis Testing Lab Included in the sale of this item. Condition: Excellent with loss to pinky and wear commensurate of age. This rare and outstanding ceramic court attendant was made during what many consider to be China’s Golden Age, the T’ang Dynasty. It was at this point that China’s outstanding technological and aesthetic achievements opened to external influences, resulting in the introduction of numerous new forms of self-expression, coupled with internal innovation and considerable social freedom. The T’ang dynasty also saw the birth of the printed novel, significant musical and theatrical heritage and many of China’s best-known painters and artists. The T’ang Dynasty took control in 618 AD, when the Li family seized power from the last crumbling remnants of the preceding Sui Dynasty. This political and regal regime was long-lived, and lasted for almost 300 years. The imperial aspirations of the preceding periods and early T’ang leaders led to unprecedented wealth, resulting in considerable socioeconomic stability, the development of trade networks and vast urbanisation for China’s exploding population (estimated at around 50 million people in the 8th century AD). The T’ang rulers took cues from earlier periods, maintaining many of their administrative structures and systems intact. Even when dynastic and governmental institutions withdrew from management of the empire towards the end of the period – their authority undermined by localised rebellions and regional governors known as jiedushi –the systems were so well-established that they continued to operate regardless. The artworks created during this era are among China’s greatest cultural achievements. It was the greatest age for Chinese poetry and painting, and sculpture also developed (although there was a notable decline in Buddhist sculptures following repression of the faith by pro-Taoism administrations later in the regime). During the Tang Dynasty, restrictions were placed on the number of objects that could be included in tombs, an amount determined by an individual's social rank. In spite of the limitations, a striking variety of tomb furnishings – known as mingqi – have been excavated. Entire retinues of ceramic figures – representing warriors, animals, entertainers, musicians, guardians and every other necessary category of assistant – were buried with the dead in order to provide for the afterlife. Warriors (lokapala) were put in place to defend the dead, while horses/ camels were provided for transport, and officials to run his estate in the hereafter. Of all the various types of mingqi, however, there are none more elegant or charming than the sculptures of sophisticated female courtiers, known – rather unfairly – as “fat ladies”. These wonderfully expressionistic sculptures represent the idealized beauty of T’ang Dynasty China, while also demonstrating sculptural mastery in exaggerating characteristics for effect, and for sheer elegance of execution. The current sculpture is a perfect example of the genre. She stands, draped from neck to foot in a loose- fitting white and green dress and jacket (?), leaning her weight back slightly on one foot, while bringing the forefingers on her tiny hand together as if in awkward enquiry. The left arm supporting a female child that entertains the lady as she gazes with love in her eyes. The dress is rendered simply yet effectively, with creases incised around the hem and the waist and large, loose sleeves. Her skin tone is pale – a traditional measure of social elites, who did not expose themselves to the sun's rays – which contrasts strongly with her red lips, dark eyebrows and small, enquiring eyes and retrousse nose. She is undoubtedly well-nourished, another marker of social class, and her rounded jawline and cheeks run smoothly with the loose contours of her body. Her hair is gathered up into an ornate fan- like design with a tie, the bun carefully folded and manoeuvred into four distinct lozenges; this style, which is associated with aristocratic and court circles, is known from written, sculptural and painted sources. This piece offers a narrative of courtly life over a thousand years ago, in superbly delicate and carefully- rendered detail. This is a stunning piece of ancient art and a credit to any collection of Chinese masterpieces. We are dedicated to providing an exclusive curated collection of Fine Arts, Paintings, Bronzes, Asian treasures, Art Glass and Antiques. Our inventory represents time-tested investment quality items with everlasting decorative beauty. We look forward to your business and appreciate any reasonable offers. All of our curated items are vetted and guaranteed authentic and as described. We stand behind our treasures with a full money back return policy if the items are not as described. We have Asian pottery, terra cotta, bronze, and paintings to complement your collection. We strive to collect the highest quality Asian antiquities in exceptional condition.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 20.2 in (51.31 cm)Diameter: 9.45 in (24.01 cm)
  • Style:
    Tang (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    400
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use. Loss to pinky finger.
  • Seller Location:
    Dallas, TX
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU1774227767642

More From This Seller

View All
Ming Dynasty Songzi Guanyin with Child
Located in Dallas, TX
A Chinese Fahua glazed pottery figure of Songzi Guanyin with child. A rare yellow, turquoise and green glazed statue of Guanyin with downward gaze h...
Category

Antique 16th Century Chinese Ming Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Pottery

Tang Dynasty Painted Pottery Fat lady Sculpture
Located in Dallas, TX
A wonderful period Tang Dynasty Pottery Figure of a Fat Lady. Tomb Pottery China Height: 15 Inches No TL Test A COA by Avantiques will accompany the sale of this item. Condition: Ve...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Chinese Tang Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Pottery

Tang Dynasty Museum Quality TL Tested Terracotta Fat Lady Figure
Located in Dallas, TX
Tang Dynasty painted terracotta fat lady tomb figure China. Tang Dynasty Circa 618-907 Modelled in the form of a classically dressed fat lady, this terraco...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Chinese Tang Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Terracotta

Tang Dynasty Fat Lady Pottery Figure
Located in Dallas, TX
Tang Dynasty Terracotta sculpture of a fat lady This stunning lady wears her hair in an elaborately styled coiffure. A remarkable amount of the original pigm...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Chinese Tang Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Pottery

Tang Dynasty Painted Terracotta Sculpture of a Lokapala
By Tang Dynasty
Located in Dallas, TX
Tang Dynasty terracotta Pottery Tomb figure of the Lokapala Warrier Deity. Figure molded wearing heavy armor, standing in a dynamic pose with left arm raised in a threatening gesture...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Chinese Tang Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Terracotta

Large Han Dynasty Terra-cotta Court Lady Figure TL Tested
Located in Dallas, TX
Huge Han Dynasty Terracotta figure Of A Court Lady. TL Test conducted by Ralf Kotalla Laboratory in Germany. Report included. Height: 29...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Chinese Han Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Terracotta

You May Also Like

Early Tang Dynasty, Antique Chinese Pottery Noble Fat Lady with Oxford TL Test
Located in Sampantawong, TH
Antique Chinese painted pottery noble fat lady with original pigments remaining. Thermoluminescence (TL) test result from Oxford Authentication Ltd. is included. Age: China, Early ...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antiquities

Materials

Pottery

Tang Dynasty, Antique Chinese Pottery Fat Lady with Oxford TL Test
Located in Sampantawong, TH
Antique Chinese pottery fat lady with original pigments remaining. Thermoluminescence (TL) test result from Oxford Authentication Ltd. is included. Age: China, Tang Dynasty, A.D. 61...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antiquities

Materials

Pottery

Tang Dynasty, Antique Chinese Painted Pottery Fat Lady
Located in Sampantawong, TH
Antique Chinese painted pottery fat lady with original pigments remaining. Age: China, Tang Dynasty, A.D. 618 - 907 Size: Height 35.5 C.M. / Width 10.4 C.M. / Depth 8.6 C.M. Conditi...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antiquities

Materials

Pottery

Tang Dynasty, Antique Chinese Painted Pottery Fat Lady with Oxford TL Test
Located in Sampantawong, TH
Antique Chinese painted pottery fat lady with original pigments remaining. Thermoluminescence (TL) test result from Oxford Authentication Ltd. is included. Age: China, Tang Dynasty,...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antiquities

Materials

Pottery

China. Terracotta Mingqi of Fat Lady, Tang dynastie, 700-750 AD
Located in UTRECHT, UT
Terracotta figurine depicting a standing court lady with hands folded in front of her chest, hair pinned up and pleated robe. Intact, with remains of original polychromy. Height:...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Chinese Tang Antiquities

Materials

Terracotta

Tang Dynasty, Antique Chinese Painted Pottery Fat Lady with Oxford TL Test
Located in Sampantawong, TH
Antique Chinese painted pottery fat lady with original pigments remaining. Thermoluminescence (TL) test result from Oxford Authentication Ltd. is included. Age: China, Tang Dynasty...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antiquities

Materials

Pottery