Large Tang Dynasty Fat Lady Figure Chinese Painted Pottery

A Tang Dynasty Pottery Figure of a "Fat Lady", c. China, Tang Dynasty, 8th century. This is a fantastic Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906) tomb sculpture (ming qi) of a female courtier.

The woman boasts the ideal characteristics of a Tang period beauty, with a very full face, elaborate coiffure, aquiline nose, and big pouty lips. Holding her hands together in the sleeves of her garment, she is in a traditional stance found in a large number of these figures. She is dressed in a loose fitting garment with a low slung belt, a men's robe, which was then expanded for women's use as well during the period.

This figure would have originally been in a relatively high ranking Tang dynasty aristocrats tomb, as indicated by the size of the figure (different classes of nobility were legally allowed only figures of a certain size, ranging from a few inches tall to 30 inches tall). Its placement would have been in either wall niches on either side of a ramp towards a tomb chamber, or else in the tomb chamber itself. This figure is very similar to a set of figures in the Luoyang Museum (see last photograph, especially central figure for same head type), and this piece was probably made by the same potters. It comes in a custom fitted box. The figure's colors have worn away, as it was buried for 1300 years, with only traces of slip and pigment left.

Like so many of these figures, the head has been re-stuck, although it has been finely repaired. Ex- Gerald Davison Collection (famous Chinese ceramics specialist). Ex-Brian Page Antiques (UK ancient Chinese art dealer).

We stand behind the accuracy of our listings, authenticity and attribution of our items. Michael Allan Antiques and Decorative Arts specializes in fine European furniture, decorative arts, and accessories from the 17th-mid 19th Centuries. We pride ourselves on the high quality of our pieces. We believe that quality antiques and decorative arts should be available for all budgets, so we strive to offer fine antiques at multiple price ranges. We really do appreciate you taking the time to visit our website to view our exquisite inventory.

Feel free to call or write if you have any questions about any items in our inventory. We are more than happy to provide you with more information regarding provenance, condition, as well as provide additional photographs, when possible. The item "Large Tang Dynasty Fat Lady Figure Chinese Painted Pottery" is in sale since Wednesday, August 22, 2018. This item is in the category "Antiques\Asian Antiques\China\Figurines & Statues".

The seller is "michaelallanantiques" and is located in Newport Beach, California. This item can be shipped to United States, United Kingdom, Denmark, Romania, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Czech republic, Finland, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Estonia, Greece, Portugal, Cyprus, Slovenia, Sweden, Belgium, France, Ireland, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, Mexico, Switzerland, Norway, Croatia, Bermuda, Guernsey, Gibraltar, Iceland, Jersey, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Canada.

Region of Origin: China
Age: 7th - 10th century
Original/Reproduction: Original
Chinese Dynasty: Tang (618-907)