AN IMPRESSIVE PAINTED STRAW-GLAZED FIGURE OF A SOLDIER

Details

AN IMPRESSIVE PAINTED STRAW-GLAZED FIGURE OF A SOLDIER
SUI/EARLY TANG DYNASTY

The standing figure well-modeled with both hands held in a fist and positioned to hold weapons, wearing layered armor over a pleated tunic and long skirt, the breast and back-plates bound with cords and secured over the shoulders with buckled straps flanked by animal-mask epaulets, his face crisply modeled with stern expression framed by the curved edge and protective flaps of his helmet, painted overall with elaborate designs in gilding, red, green, black and turquoise pigment, some restoration--26 3/4in. (68cm.) high

Lot Essay

For an almost identical model excavated from the tomb (dated 664) of Chang Jen-t'ai at Li-ch'uan District, Shensi, see Ceramic Art of the World, vol. 11 (Sui and T'ang Dynasties), 1976, pl. 32. See also other similar examples illustrated by d'Argencé in The Avery Brundage Collection, Chinese, Korean and Japanese Sculpture, Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, pl. 79; in Sekai Toji Zenshu, vol. IX, fig. 112; by Mario Prodan in The Art of the T'ang Potter, New York, 1961, pl. 33; and in Chinese Art from the Collection of James W. and Marilynn Alsdorf, September 21--November 13, 1970, The Arts Club of Chicago, Catalogue pl. C17

The result of Oxford thermoluminescence test no. 666a88 is consistent with the dating of this lot