Ancient Chinese

A Rare Pair of Painted Pottery Chickens China, Han dynasty (206 BC–AD 220)** Painted earthenware with original pigments; later bronze legs** Height: 10 cm; Width: 15 cm each** Finely modelled as a pair of standing chickens, each bird is depicted with a full rounded body, gently arched neck and slightly lowered head, the long fan-shaped tail carefully incised with parallel lines to suggest individual feathers. The bodies are naturalistically conceived yet highly stylised in the distinctive manner of Han dynasty funerary sculpture, with softly swelling breasts, compact proportions and restrained detailing. The surfaces retain attractive areas of **original earthy red, ochre, brown and grey pigment**, preserved in a remarkably untouched state. The two birds form a particularly harmonious pair, turning towards one another with a strong sense of animation and balance. Their slightly differing postures lend the group an appealing naturalism while preserving the formal symmetry characteristic of Han funerary ensembles. Original Polychromy Particularly noteworthy is the survival of the **original painted decoration**. The pigments have not been renewed or recoloured and display the expected soft, matte and uneven appearance resulting from approximately two millennia of burial. Traces of reddish-brown, ochre and grey colouring remain across the bodies, necks and tails, with burial accretions and areas of surface alteration contributing to their exceptionally attractive archaeological character. The figures have **not been repainted** and retain an unusually authentic ancient surface. The Legs The pottery bodies are ancient and date from the Han dynasty. The present legs are later bronze replacements, made solely to enable the birds to stand naturally for display. This is entirely consistent with excavated Han dynasty examples. An especially important archaeological comparison is provided by the celebrated rooster and hen excavated from Pit No. 13 at the Yangling Mausoleum, the imperial burial complex of Emperor Jing of Han. Published examples from Yangling were originally made with wooden legs, which disappeared through decomposition during burial; the legs now fitted to those museum figures are likewise modern replacements. The published Yangling pair measures approximately 15–15.5 cm in length and retains unusually well-preserved red and yellow pigments. The same archaeological practice therefore explains the absence of surviving original legs in examples of this type: the separately made organic supports were inherently vulnerable to decay, while the fired earthenware bodies survived. Comparison: Han Yangling Mausoleum The closest and most instructive comparison can be found among the animal figures excavated at the Yangling Mausoleum in Shaanxi, the burial complex constructed for Emperor Jing of the Western Han dynasty. Among the numerous pottery animals discovered there were pigs, sheep, goats, dogs, poultry and other domesticated animals intended to recreate the agricultural wealth and household provisions required by the deceased in the afterlife. Significantly, roosters and hens were found at Yangling in comparatively small numbers. The published Yangling examples share with the present pair the rounded body, extended tail, simplified head and restrained naturalistic modelling. Their survival with relatively strong painted colour is also specifically noted in the archaeological literature. The Yangling discoveries provide particularly compelling archaeological context for the present pair and demonstrate the role such poultry figures played within high-status Western Han funerary assemblages. Funerary Significance Animals formed an important component of Han dynasty burial culture. Such figures belong to the tradition of mingqi, or “spirit objects” — representations of the people, animals, buildings, possessions and provisions believed to be required by the deceased in the afterlife. Domestic animals were therefore not merely decorative. Chickens represented the productive household and agricultural estate, while also symbolising the continuity of everyday life beyond death. Comparable pottery animals recovered from imperial and aristocratic tombs include horses, pigs, dogs, sheep, goats and poultry. The large quantities of miniature figures recovered at Yangling vividly illustrate this conception of the tomb as a complete parallel world populated by servants, soldiers, livestock and household animals. Provenance Private Collection, Hong Kong. Condition Exceptionally good condition considering the age. Both pottery bodies are preserved substantially intact, with no significant breaks or major losses apparent. The surfaces retain extensive areas of **original pigment** and have not been recoloured or repainted. Expected age-related surface wear, minor abrasions, burial accretions and localised pigment loss, entirely consistent with excavated Han dynasty pottery approximately two thousand years old. The bronze legs are later replacements made exclusively for display and do not form part of the ancient ceramic bodies. No restoration to the pottery bodies apparent from visual inspection. Note A particularly attractive and rare matching pair of Han dynasty painted pottery chickens, distinguished by their elegant proportions, unusually complete pottery bodies, extensive surviving original colour and close archaeological parallels with poultry excavated from the imperial Han Yangling Mausoleum. The survival of the two birds together as a pair gives the group particular decorative, archaeological and collecting appeal. -Premium Authenticity Guarantee – Becker Antiques (Established 1966) This is a high-value artwork, selected with the utmost care by Becker Antiques, a gallery founded in 1966 and based in a historic five-storey mansion in Amsterdam’s Museum Quarter. Every premium piece we offer undergoes a rigorous authentication process based on nearly 60 years of specialist expertise. This includes: • Detailed stylistic and topological analysis • Assessment of condition, surface, and age-related characteristics • Comparative research with museum and literature examples We guarantee that this object is genuine, original, and exactly as described, with no modern, altered, or assembled elements unless clearly mentioned in the listing. Becker Antiques is trusted by museums, collectors, and institutions worldwide. Each premium item is chosen for its authenticity, historical integrity, and exceptional quality. For serious collectors or institutions wishing to receive additional documentation, we are always happy to assist. Shipping The figure will be professionally packed and dispatched within three working days, shipped by FedEx with full insurance.

Estimate:£2,345.25

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