3 HAN DYNASTY EARTHENWARE FEMALE DANCING FIGURES

Chinese, Western Han Dynasty. Painted earthenware depictions of female dancers in flowing robes with long sleeves, and hems spread on the ground. Figures of Han Dynasty dancers are made of simple earthenware, yet they look as if they are inmovement. Known as mingqi, or spirit goods, they were created to transport wordly pleasures into the afterlife and entertain the deceased into eternity. Approx. h. 21.75". Provenance: From the Private Collection of Morton & Kathleen Sachs ofLouisville, Kentucky, purchased from TK Asian Antiquities (Williamsburg, VA) in 2000 or 2001 for $22,000.