Ancient Chinese

Musician or Sichuan storyteller – Han Dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE) China, Sichuan Province. Han Dynasty, traditionally attributed to the Eastern Han period (25–220 CE). Material: Terracotta with residues of earthy deposits and surface encrustations. An extraordinary terracotta figure representing a musician, jongleur or storyteller, belonging to the celebrated funerary sculptural tradition of Sichuan province during the Han Dynasty. The figure appears seated, with the torso exposed, a prominent belly, an expressive smiling face, and one arm raised in a theatrical gesture. Its composition conveys remarkable dynamism and a sense of humor, distinctive of these representations of popular artists in ancient China. This type of figures, known as shuochang yong (俑说唱), depict the narrators and itinerant performers who entertained the public with tales, music, gestures, and comic performances. They constitute one of the most original manifestations of Han funerary art, notable for their naturalism, spontaneity, and ability to depict scenes of daily life, far from the rigid ceremonial of other contemporary sculptures. Condition: Surface with abundant earthy deposits, incrustations and wear typical of its current state. Retains an especially expressive sculptural presence. Artistic and collecting interest: Sichuan storytellers’ figures are among the most recognizable typologies of Han-era Chinese funerary sculpture. Related pieces are represented in major international museum collections. A piece of notable character, expressiveness and decorative appeal, representative of one of the most singular sculptural traditions of ancient China.

Estimate:£1,005.1

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