167 - Dignitary of the Tang court, sancai sculpture, 7th - 9th century

Dignitary of the Tang court, sancai sculpture, 7th - 9th century Terracotta sculpture with sancai glazes. Dimensions not specified. Figure of a high-ranking dignitary depicted standing, with hands clasped over the chest in a ceremonial gesture, clad in a long robe covered with polychrome glazes in shades of green, yellow, ochre, and cream. The bust is decorated with glazed cabochons that add visual richness and symbolic hierarchy, while the wide sleeves reinforce the solemnity of the pose. The head is adorned with an elaborate cap topped by a large circular element decorated with a band of pearls in relief and a phoenix in flight, an aristocratic emblem associated with status and virtue. The face displays stylized features and a restrained expression, characteristic of the formal language of Tang funerary sculpture. This work is fully inscribed within the tradition of the Tang dynasty, a period of cultural splendor in which sancai figures combined naturalism, symbolism, and intense chromatic expressiveness. Due to its age and history of use, this lot may show signs of wear and previous interventions. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, no specialized technical testing has been performed. The absence of any mention of restorations does not guarantee that none exist. You may request additional information before placing a bid. This does not affect the buyer's statutory rights. Lot in international warehouse (within the EU). Intra-EU shipment: no import duties apply within the EU. Export permit from the country of origin may be required.