Curly-Haired Youth
Style of Tang dynasty (618–906)
Medium
Earthenware with traces of pigment
Dimensions
H.: 4.9 cm (12 1/2 in.)
Classification
ceramics
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
117593
Art Historical Context
### Curly-Haired YouthThis charming earthenware figurine, titled *Curly-Haired Youth captures the essence of Tang dynasty artistry (618–906 CE), a golden era of Chinese culture renowned for its cosmopolitan flair and masterful ceramics. Standing at just 4.9 cm (12 1/2 in.) tall, the small-scale sculpture depicts a youthful figure with distinctive curly hair, hinting at foreign influences from the Silk Road routes that brought Central Asian and Persian styles to China. Crafted in the "style of" Tang, it exemplifies the period's love for lively, expressive tomb figures known as *mingqi*, which a...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...