standing male figure with outstretched arms; one hand grasping opposite wrist; green patina; mounted on stand

Standing figure, 5th-4th century BCE

Unknown artist, expand_more

Bronze with gold inlayexpand_more

Gift of Ruth and Bruce Daytonexpand_more  2003.140.3

Not on Viewexpand_more

This small, finely detailed figure stands with arms held out. His curling fingers form a socket that would have held the shank of an oil lamp. The figure wears a long tunic gathered at the waist by a plain belt secured by a belt hook. The skirt, sleeves, shoulders, and lapels of the costume have been inlaid with gold line decoration and cast with border motifs. The hair is carefully dressed and partially covered by a close-fitting headdress with a double-lobed crest in the center.

Human figures in bronze were rare throughout the Shang and Western Zhou dynasties (1600–771 BCE), but several bronze figures that served as lamp standards have now been excavated from Warring States–period tombs of the late Zhou era. The strong, sculptural quality of this figure anticipates the naturalism encountered in the succeeding Qin (221–206 BCE) and Western Han (206 BCE–25 CE) eras.

Details
Title
Standing figure
Role
Artist
Accession Number
2003.140.3
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.

Does something look wrong with this image? Let us know

Zoom in on the left to the detail you'd like to save. Click 'Save detail' and wait until the image updates. Right click the image to 'save image as' or copy link, or click the image to open in a new tab.

standing male figure with outstretched arms; one hand grasping opposite wrist; green patina; mounted on stand