This well-modeled ceramic figure depicts a Scythian warrior in full armor, likely serving as a standard bearer. The warrior stands upright on a thin rectangular base, with clenched fists suggesting he once held a standard. His facial features are finely defined, with eyes gazing forward beneath a studded leather cap. He wears a short tunic and a decorated breastplate adorned with two roundels enclosing human faces.
Date : Sui-Tang Dynasty
Type : Straw-glazed pottery figure
Dimension : 39cm (Height) x 13cm (Diameter)
Condition : Good(There is damage on the upper right side of the base, and a crack in the lower section. Repairs may be required. If requested at the time of order, restoration can be arranged for an additional repair fee at cost price.)
Provenance : Acquired in late 1990s from Hongkong
Reference :
1) Philadelphia Museum of Art - Accession number 1923-21-43 - Figure of a Warrior
(Type : Highly related)
2) Auckland Museum - Accession Number1941.137 - Mingqi tomb figure
(Type : Highly related)
* Sui-Tang Dynasty Straw-glazed Earthenware (581–907 CE)
Straw-glazed earthenware from the Sui and Tang dynasties (581–907 CE) is characterized by a pale yellow, off-white, or greenish glaze fired at a low temperature. This type of glaze, known as straw glaze, contains minimal iron content, resulting in a soft, natural hue with a subtle sheen rather than a glossy surface. It was commonly used for mingqi (明器)—funerary objects placed in tombs—as well as for practical vessels.
During this period, the influence of foreign cultures through the Silk Road is evident in the design of straw-glazed ceramics, particularly in figurines representing warriors, attendants, and animals. These pieces reflect the cosmopolitan nature of the Tang Dynasty, incorporating elements of Central Asian and nomadic attire. As tomb objects, they symbolized the deceased’s status and authority in the afterlife.
While technically simpler than Tang Sancai (唐三彩, three-colored ware), straw-glazed ceramics exhibit elegant curves and refined craftsmanship, making them an important representation of the artistic sophistication of the era.
