A GOOD PAINTED GRAY POTTERY FIGURE OF A SOLDIER

VARIOUS PROPERTIES

Details

A GOOD PAINTED GRAY POTTERY FIGURE OF A SOLDIER
NORTHERN WEI DYNASTY

The standing figure well detailed with head turned alertly to the side, wearing molded and painted leather breast and back armor secured with straps over the shoulders and around the waist above a short tunic and pantaloons gathered at the knees, his right hand hollowed to hold a weapon, the left hand resting atop a faceted shield, the face modeled with open mouth, upturned nose and pointed beard framed by his leather helmet, painted in various tones of red, white and black with some traces of pale blue--12 in. (30.5cm.) high

Lot Essay

The facial characteristics of this figure indicate that he is probably a foreigner. Compare a Northern Wei figure of a Topa Turk
illustrated by Schloss, Ancient Chinese Ceramic Sculpture, p. 31

The result of Oxford thermoluminescence test no. 666a30 is consistent with the dating of this lot