Enormous figure of a court dignitary. Ancient China, Tang dynasty, circa AD 618-907. Terracotta. In overall very good condition, with superficial rubbing, loss of colour and small chips. The top of the lid has been broken and repaired. Provenance: Ex-collection David A. Berg, New York; Christie's, December 2003; Purchased from M. C., Philadelphia, USA, March 2023. Size: 90 x 25 cm. The high dignitary is shown standing on a stylised rocky base, hands clasped on his chest, wearing a high double-lobed cap, long dark-red robe with wide sleeves, which is held off the ground by large upturned traditional shoes. Historians consider the Tang Dynasty a period of splendour in Chinese civilisation, equal or even superior to the Han period.

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