CHINESE MING DYNASTY GLAZED TERRACOTTA SEDAN CHAIR CARRIER

Ca. 1368-1644 AD or later . A glazed-terracotta figurine depicting a sedan chair carrier in an upright position, standing atop an integral, small base. The gentleman is dressed in a carefully glazed robe, which is beautifully detailed and adds a sense of elegance and refinement to the piece. His left arm and hand are uncovered, while his right hand rests on his hip, giving him an air of confidence and authority. The most striking feature of this mingqi is the level of detail that has been lavished on the gentleman's face. Every feature, from his eyes to his nose to his mouth, is rendered with incredible precision and skill, creating a sense of realism and individuality that is truly remarkable. Mingqi were an important part of Chinese funerary art during the Ming Dynasty, and they were often used to provide the deceased with the objects and attendants they would need in the afterlife. These figures were typically made from unglazed earthenware or glazed pottery, and they were often highly detailed and elaborately decorated. Figurines depicting sedan chair carriers were a common theme in Ming Dynasty mingqi, and they were used to represent the wealthy and influential individuals who would have been carried in these elaborate conveyances. Size: L:235mm / W:102mm ; 600g Provenance: From the private collection of a Somerset gentleman; previously in an old British collection, formed before 2000 on the UK /European art markets.