Terracotta figure "stickman", Han Dynasty (206 BC - 220 AD)

Ceramic polychrome in red and black pigment, partially worn.

Ceramic funerary figure in the form of a man, standing with a serious, finely modelled gesture. They are notable for having a slender body in a very upright posture, with the torso and legs stretched out. The feet are slender and form almost a right angle to the figure. There is no clothing modelled in the clay. The hair is polychrome black and tied back at the top. Originally, these images were clothed. They also had wooden arms attached to the side holes and were movable, but both are no longer preserved as they are perishable materials. 

These sculptures are known as "Stickman" because of their shape and were placed in the tombs of the royal family along with other similar sculptures as trousseaus.  The idea was to represent an army present in the tomb to help and protect the deceased in the afterlife. 

It is in an exceptional state of preservation, considering its age. It has undergone some restoration work, although its integrity has been preserved. Supported by a 51 cm high methacrylate base.

Height: 59.50 cm;

Provenance:

Spanish private collection. 

This important private collection comes from a successful businessman dedicated to national and international construction and investment who lived in different parts of Spain and the South of France. This part of the collection, exhibited exclusively for the first time at auction, focuses on Chinese ceramics from the Tang Dynasty and is a collection of museum quality pieces. The family's tradition of travel dates back to the success of an ancestor who in the 1930s travelled to Manila, Shanghai, Cairo, Havana, etc., practising the sport of "cesta punta", and in particular, motivated by an interest in discovering different cultures, which led them to build up a large collection. In general, their interest in art is such that their collection includes pieces of both Asian and European origin.

The acquisition of the collection began in the 1990s and was built up during years of study in Madrid and on various trips to Paris, New York, Hong Kong, Spain and Germany; at reputable antique dealers such as "Arch Angel" in Hong Kong and international auctions such as Nagel. Specialists have also collaborated in the selection, study and verification of the pieces, as can be seen in the accompanying documentation: invoices, studies and reports.