Ancient Chinese

Musician or storyteller from Sichuan – Han Dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE) China, Sichuan Province. Han Dynasty, traditionally attributed to the Oriental Han period (25–220 CE). Material: Terracotta with traces of earthy deposits and surface concretions. Extraordinary terracotta figure representing a musician, jester, or storyteller, belonging to the famous funerary sculpture tradition of Sichuan Province during the Han Dynasty. The figure is shown seated, with a bare torso, prominent belly, expressive smiling face, and one arm raised in a theatrical gesture. Its composition conveys extraordinary dynamism and a sense of humor, distinctive characteristics of these representations of popular artists in ancient China. This type of figures, known as shuochang yong (俑说唱), portray the itinerant narrators and artists who entertained the public with tales, music, gestures, and comic performances. They constitute one of the most original expressions of Han funerary art, notable for naturalism, spontaneity, and the ability to depict scenes of everyday life, far removed from the rigid ceremonial of other contemporary sculptures. State of preservation: Surface with abundant earthy deposits, incrustations, and wear inherent to its current condition. Retains an especially expressive sculptural presence. Artistic and collecting interest: Sichuan narrators’ figures are among the most recognizable typologies of Chinese funerary sculpture from the Han period. Related exemplars can be found in major international museum collections. A piece of notable character, expressivity, and decorative appeal, representative of one of the most distinctive sculptural traditions of ancient China.

Estimate:£1,005.1

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