Chinese Tang Sancai Glazed Funerary Figure, Court Attendant, C.7th–8th Century

A Chinese glazed earthenware funerary figure, attributable to the Tang dynasty (618–906), depicting a standing court attendant or minor civil official in a restrained frontal pose, with hands hidden within the sleeves and clasped at the chest.

The glaze is applied in the Tang sancai tradition, using lead-based compositions enriched with cobalt, copper and iron oxides. The present example shows a blue-dominant variation with natural flow and pooling characteristic of Tang kiln production. Blue-glazed sancai examples are less common than the standard palette and carry increased collector interest.

Note on attribution. No thermoluminescence certificate is held. In its place, macro photographs and UV images were assessed using an AI visual analysis system. The analysis identified multiple indicators consistent with Tang dynasty origin: established funerary iconography; natural cobalt-blue glaze flow; coarse reddish-brown earthenware body; hollow hand-cut base; fine mineral craquelure; and no UV fluorescence indicative of later restoration or repainting. Museum-held examples and auction records from Christie's, Bonhams and Sotheby's confirm closely related figures achieving £8,000–15,000+ when authenticated.

Dimensions: Height 25.2 cm · Width 7.5 cm · Depth 8 cm · Weight 620 g

Condition: Excellent preservation of the glaze, with expected ancient burial wear, surface accretions and rubbing to exposed areas. Shipped with full tracking and insurance.