唐 陶侍女俑|Figure of a female attendant

Art Historical Context

This charming earthenware figure of a female attendant, crafted during the Tang dynasty (618–907), embodies the era's prosperity and reverence for the afterlife. Standing just 7⅞ inches tall, she was likely placed in a tomb as mingqi—spirit objects meant to serve the deceased in the next world. The Tang period, often called China's golden age, saw vibrant cultural exchanges along the Silk Road, influencing art with cosmopolitan flair. These tomb figures, mass-produced yet exquisitely detailed, reflect the dynasty's belief in providing comforts beyond death. Modeled in low-fired earthenware, t...