China - Fat Lady - Tang Dynasty (618 - 907) - Tl

This terracotta female figure embodies with grace and restrained monumentality the ideal of feminine beauty that prevailed in Tang Dynasty China, a period when opulent forms reflected prosperity, refinement, and social prestige. Standing, hieratic yet imbued with a subtle presence, she holds her hands concealed within the sleeves of her long robe, a posture characteristic of court ladies depicted in aristocratic funerary art. Her full and serene face is modeled with an almost painterly softness: half-closed eyes drawn with a fine line, a mouth delicately outlined in red, and cheeks enhanced with a subtle rosy complexion still perceptible. The high hairstyle, structured as a double side bun, corresponds to the hair styles attested in 8th-century court iconography. The garment, rendered in broad, flowing strokes, falls vertically to the base, whose surface retains traces of slip and oxidation typical of ancient funerary clays. The surface reveals a homogeneous patina from burial: micro-erosions, calcareous deposits, traces of ferruginous oxidation, and natural alterations of the pigment. These phenomena, distributed coherently across the entire piece, attest to authentic aging, not artificial aging. The gentle wear of the reliefs and the blunting of the edges correspond to a long presence in a closed and slightly humid environment, typical of Tang Dynasty burial contexts. The object is accompanied by a thermoluminescence test, confirming the authenticity of the dating. Origin: China. Period: Tang Dynasty (618–907) - 8th century. Dimensions: Height 35 cm; width 11 cm. Condition: Very good. Provenance: Former Belgian private collection.