#11353 • Ming Dynasty Complete (8) Piece Tomb Figures

Part of Nguyen Phuc Ung Ai Royal Family Auction (timed auction by GWS Auctions)

Starting at $1.00

Status: No sale

Est. $30,000-$35,000 Ming Dynasty Complete (8) Piece Terracotta Processional Figures & Palanquin Tomb Figure Collection W/Thermoluminecence Report - This superb set was made during the Ming Dynasty of China, and is an (8) piece set of terracotta processional figures and palanquin. There is one palanquin box and seven figures, each dressed in long gowns with long sleeves, their hands grasping as palanquin bearers and one playing a musical instrument. They are beautifully glazed in turquoise and cobalt blue colors, a superior feature not often found on these works of art and representative of an important tomb which deserved highest quality pottery representations. These figures are extremely detailed and highly glazed in turquoise, dark cobalt blue and highlighted in red and white cold painted pigments. Most of the original colors remain in tact. The figures were often placed in a north-south direction in coffin chambers to represent the progress of time. People hoped that such an arrangement would encourage the gods to visit and to guard the tomb. This scarce kind of complete collection is infrequently found in wealthy tombs of the elite and wealthy ancient Ming Chinese. Condition: Handmade and hand glazed. Superb quality, all figures and palanquin are original and intact with finely preserved glazes and pigments. The set will come with a Thermoluminecence Report from Laboratory Kotalla, dating the pieces to be approx. 580 years old.