<em>Funerary Figure</em>. Grey earthenware with white and red polychrome., 19 3/4 x 9 15/16 x 5 1/4 in. (50.2 x 25.2 x 13.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Charles Tanenbaum in loving memory of his wife, Mary, 2003.66a-c. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2003.66_bw.jpg)

Funerary Figure

Medium: Grey earthenware with white and red polychrome.

Geograhical Locations:

Dimensions: 19 3/4 x 9 15/16 x 5 1/4 in. (50.2 x 25.2 x 13.3 cm) Base: 7 7/8 x 1 1/4 x 13 in. (20 x 3.2 x 33 cm)

Collections:

Accession Number: 2003.66a-c

Image: 2003.66_bw.jpg,

Catalogue Description:
Figure. Grey earthenware figure of a kneeling male attendant, decorated with white and red pigment. From back, feet of figure are shown. Holes for insertion of arms and hands (now missing). Clothing: The figure wears several layers of clothing, including an outer robe and two undergarments that extend from the figure's left shoulder and close over the chest. The clothing is decorated with white polychrome, highlighted with red pigment, used to denote costume features, such as the belt at waist, neck border, lower border of costume (see back), and interior of the sleeves. The red is painted over the white pigment, originally covered entire surface, that is now is unevenly worn. The figure's head is now separate from the body. It is molded and covered with white pigment on the front only. The headdress is bifurcated, marked by two holes possibly to attach head-gear of another material. The ears are large, flat, and unarticulated. The figure's facial details are also mold-made and typical of Han dynasty earthenware figures. Technique: Figure is molded; mold lines are apparent at head and body, along sides. The head is composed of two parts (front and back), and the body is also composed of two parts (back and front). Pigment has been applied to fired clay body. Condition: Earth/dirt covers pigment consistently throughout. Uneven surface wear. Accretions of earth and dirt. Hands missing. Head is separated from body. Uneven pigment; some areas of pigment have worn off. Possible repair to left side of face. Some surface scratches. For comparable pieces, see, Musée Cernuschi, Paris, 1992, Chine connue & inconnue, page 89, fig. 38. Figure arrived with its own wood stand (c): Base dimensions 1 ¼ x 13 x 7 7/8 in.

Brooklyn Museum