Chinese Han Dynasty Terracotta Attendant Figure - TL Tested

Ca. 206 BC - 220 AD. A very large ceramic female tomb attendant of a type known as a mingqi, or "spirit utensil" created to care for a deceased individual of high status in the tomb. Dressed in flowing garments, this hollow molded figure presents an elegant dance-like pose - holding her left hand to her hip and her right hand upward, the voluminous sleeve of her robe draping below her elbow. Her visage expresses sheer joy with a wonderful smile, almond-shaped eyes, gently arched brows, a petite nose, and softly contoured cheeks, her magnificent headdress/coiffure decorated with flower blossoms. A stunning and exceptionally large example. This figure's long sleeves suggest that she may represent a dancer. During the Han dynasty, dancers would swing their sleeves in elegant ways as part of the choreography; Good Condition; Size: 715mmx320mm; over 6kg; FULLY AUTHENTICATED BY RALF KOTALLA LABORATORY, GERMANY, ACCOMPANIED BY A DETAILED TL TEST REPORT. Provenance: Important estate collection from Oxfordshire; formed in the 1970s-2000.