Figure of civil official

This terracotta figurine of a civil official is portrayed wearing long robes with long flowing sleeves and its hands clasped together. It was part of a group of pottery tomb figures buried during the Tang dynasty (618-906). It would have stood as a pair at the entrance of the tomb chamber as it was thought to have the ability to ward off evil and protect the deceased, who was most likely a person of status. The custom of making burial wares or ‘mingqi’ was an ancient one. It is thought these wares were necessary for the deceased in the next world. Elaborate groups of burial wares were also a display of wealth and social status.

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