standing female figure with hair in two buns, wearing long robes; woman holds a small vessel; yellow glaze on top with traces of red pigment on stomach and edge of skirt

Female Attendant, one of five, 7th century

Unknown artist, expand_more

Shown standing in a quiet and respectful attitude holding small, pear-shaped covered vases, these figures of young women represent court attendants. Dressed in similar attire, with aquamarine blue scarves, red-striped skirts, and high-waisted dresses, they all have the full, round faces, slender figures, and double topknots that were fashionable during the early Tang dynasty (618-906).

It was common for aristocratic tombs to include numerous ceramic figurines, but it is unusual for sets such as this to survive intact. Reusable molds allowed for the mass-manufacture of grave objects such as these and accounts for the nearly identical forms seen in four of these five figures.

Details
Title
Female Attendant, one of five
Role
Artist
Accession Number
2001.69.3.1
Curator Approved

This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.

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standing female figure with hair in two buns, wearing long robes; woman holds a small vessel; yellow glaze on top with traces of red pigment on stomach and edge of skirt