A large painted pottery figure of a court lady, Tang dynasty | 唐 陶加彩仕女立俑
Auction Closed
May 7, 03:37 AM GMT
Estimate
10,000 - 20,000 HKD
Lot Details
Description
depicting wearing a long robe detailed with floral motifs and draping to voluminous folds at the base while exposing the tips of the shoes, her arms portrayed folded as though holding something near the chest, the reddish earthenware with traces of white slip, wood stand and Japanese wood box
55 cm
Sensitively fashioned with a plump face, small heart-shaped lips and the head elegantly tilted to one side, pottery figures with such voluptuous features are attributed to the first half of the 8th century, and in particular to the reign of Emperor Xuanzong (r. 712-756). The plump features of these figures, their long voluminous robes and flamboyant hairstyles are believed to be representative of the aesthetic trend led by the famous imperial concubine Yang Guifei (719-756), beloved consort of the emperor. The figure’s distinctive hairstyle, known as ‘zhuimaji (falling off the horse bun)’, originated according to legend with the Emperor’s fascination with Yang Guifei’s appearance after she fell from a horse.