Tang Dynasty Terracotta Court Musician | Female Figure with Pan Flute & Traces of Pigment | Circa 7th–9th Century

Provenance & Ownership History
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From a private collection in St. Petersburg, Florida, USA.

$1,000.00
$1,000.00
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Tang Dynasty terracotta female court musician statue with pan flute and pigment traces
Ancient Chinese Tang Dynasty terracotta seated female musician dating to circa 618–907 CE, featuring a traditional multi-piped pan flute, flowing court robes, an elaborate hairstyle, traces of red and white mineral pigments, a naturally aged surface, and a carved wooden display stand.
Ancient Chinese Tang Dynasty terracotta seated female musician playing a traditional pan flute, circa 618–907 CE.
Ancient Chinese terracotta figurine seated woman playing pan flute detail
Frontal Tang Dynasty terracotta female musician figure with faded paint
Close-up detail of terracotta court musician head and pan flute
Chinese Tang Dynasty terracotta funerary figure featuring a finely modeled pan flute and intricate draped robe details.
Tang Dynasty terracotta court musician statue with pan flute and pigment traces
Chinese terracotta funerary sculpture depicting a seated female performer with flowing garments and a traditional pan flute.
Back view of Tang Dynasty terracotta female musician on lotus pedestal
Ancient Chinese female court musician holding a pan flute, mounted on a later-added carved wooden display stand.
Side profile aged terracotta figurine musician on carved wooden stand
Rear view of Tang Dynasty terracotta court musician statue hairstyle
High-angle close-up of ancient terracotta court musician with pigment
Tang Dynasty terracotta female court musician seated and playing a traditional Chinese pan flute, with traces of original red and white pigment, flowing robes, and detailed coiffure; authentic 7th–9th century funerary mingqi figure displayed on a carved wooden base.
  • Tang Dynasty terracotta female court musician statue with pan flute and pigment traces
  • Ancient Chinese Tang Dynasty terracotta seated female musician dating to circa 618–907 CE, featuring a traditional multi-piped pan flute, flowing court robes, an elaborate hairstyle, traces of red and white mineral pigments, a naturally aged surface, and a carved wooden display stand.
  • Ancient Chinese Tang Dynasty terracotta seated female musician playing a traditional pan flute, circa 618–907 CE.
  • Ancient Chinese terracotta figurine seated woman playing pan flute detail
  • Frontal Tang Dynasty terracotta female musician figure with faded paint
  • Close-up detail of terracotta court musician head and pan flute
  • Chinese Tang Dynasty terracotta funerary figure featuring a finely modeled pan flute and intricate draped robe details.
  • Tang Dynasty terracotta court musician statue with pan flute and pigment traces
  • Chinese terracotta funerary sculpture depicting a seated female performer with flowing garments and a traditional pan flute.
  • Back view of Tang Dynasty terracotta female musician on lotus pedestal
  • Ancient Chinese female court musician holding a pan flute, mounted on a later-added carved wooden display stand.
  • Side profile aged terracotta figurine musician on carved wooden stand
  • Rear view of Tang Dynasty terracotta court musician statue hairstyle
  • High-angle close-up of ancient terracotta court musician with pigment
  • Tang Dynasty terracotta female court musician seated and playing a traditional Chinese pan flute, with traces of original red and white pigment, flowing robes, and detailed coiffure; authentic 7th–9th century funerary mingqi figure displayed on a carved wooden base.
Tang Dynasty terracotta female court musician statue with pan flute and pigment traces
Ancient Chinese Tang Dynasty terracotta seated female musician dating to circa 618–907 CE, featuring a traditional multi-piped pan flute, flowing court robes, an elaborate hairstyle, traces of red and white mineral pigments, a naturally aged surface, and a carved wooden display stand.
Ancient Chinese Tang Dynasty terracotta seated female musician playing a traditional pan flute, circa 618–907 CE.
Ancient Chinese terracotta figurine seated woman playing pan flute detail
Frontal Tang Dynasty terracotta female musician figure with faded paint
Close-up detail of terracotta court musician head and pan flute
Chinese Tang Dynasty terracotta funerary figure featuring a finely modeled pan flute and intricate draped robe details.
Tang Dynasty terracotta court musician statue with pan flute and pigment traces
Chinese terracotta funerary sculpture depicting a seated female performer with flowing garments and a traditional pan flute.
Back view of Tang Dynasty terracotta female musician on lotus pedestal
Ancient Chinese female court musician holding a pan flute, mounted on a later-added carved wooden display stand.
Side profile aged terracotta figurine musician on carved wooden stand
Rear view of Tang Dynasty terracotta court musician statue hairstyle
High-angle close-up of ancient terracotta court musician with pigment
Tang Dynasty terracotta female court musician seated and playing a traditional Chinese pan flute, with traces of original red and white pigment, flowing robes, and detailed coiffure; authentic 7th–9th century funerary mingqi figure displayed on a carved wooden base.
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Tang Dynasty Terracotta Court Musician | Female Figure with Pan Flute & Traces of Pigment | Circa 7th–9th Century

Description
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Historical Context & Origin

Region: China
Material: Terracotta with traces of original pigment
Period: Tang Dynasty (circa 618–907 AD)

Description

This authentically aged Tang Dynasty terracotta figure depicts a seated female court musician playing a traditional Chinese pan flute. The figure is modeled in flowing robes, with visible traces of red and white mineral pigments, typical of Tang funerary art. Her serene face and intricately detailed hairstyle reflect the refined beauty standards of the Tang imperial court. Seated gracefully, she holds the multi-piped pan flute delicately to her lips—symbolizing the significance of music in Tang ritual, entertainment, and daily life. This sculpture most likely functioned as a mingqi, or tomb attendant figure, designed to provide companionship and cultural refinement to the deceased in the afterlife.

Features

- Rare depiction of a female musician with traces of original pigments

- Traditional Tang coiffure and draped robe details

- Pan flute rendered with fine sculptural precision

- Hollow-bodied construction consistent with Tang burial practices

- Displayed on a later-added carved wooden stand

Cultural Significance

Terracotta figures of musicians, dancers, and attendants were widely used during the Tang Dynasty as tomb furnishings, reflecting the wealth, sophistication, and artistic culture of the deceased. Music was central to Tang court life, and female performers held a celebrated role in both entertainment and ritual. This figure captures the elegance and cultural vibrancy of China’s golden age, offering valuable insight into its artistry and ceremonial traditions.

Condition

Good condition for its age, with surface wear, pigment loss, and mineral deposits consistent with burial context. Minor chipping along edges and extremities. Stable overall with no evidence of modern repairs. The custom wooden base is not original but enhances display.

Dimensions (Approximate)

Height (including base): 6.25 in
Height (figure only): 4.25 in
Width: 4 in

Age (Approximate)

1,100–1,400 years old

Provenance

From a private collection in St. Petersburg, Florida, USA.

Learn More

Discover Tang Dynasty terracotta court figures at The Art Institute of Chicago

Explore Our Collection of Ancient Chinese Artifacts & Imperial Relics

Description

Historical Context & Origin

Region: China
Material: Terracotta with traces of original pigment
Period: Tang Dynasty (circa 618–907 AD)

Description

This authentically aged Tang Dynasty terracotta figure depicts a seated female court musician playing a traditional Chinese pan flute. The figure is modeled in flowing robes, with visible traces of red and white mineral pigments, typical of Tang funerary art. Her serene face and intricately detailed hairstyle reflect the refined beauty standards of the Tang imperial court. Seated gracefully, she holds the multi-piped pan flute delicately to her lips—symbolizing the significance of music in Tang ritual, entertainment, and daily life. This sculpture most likely functioned as a mingqi, or tomb attendant figure, designed to provide companionship and cultural refinement to the deceased in the afterlife.

Features

- Rare depiction of a female musician with traces of original pigments

- Traditional Tang coiffure and draped robe details

- Pan flute rendered with fine sculptural precision

- Hollow-bodied construction consistent with Tang burial practices

- Displayed on a later-added carved wooden stand

Cultural Significance

Terracotta figures of musicians, dancers, and attendants were widely used during the Tang Dynasty as tomb furnishings, reflecting the wealth, sophistication, and artistic culture of the deceased. Music was central to Tang court life, and female performers held a celebrated role in both entertainment and ritual. This figure captures the elegance and cultural vibrancy of China’s golden age, offering valuable insight into its artistry and ceremonial traditions.

Condition

Good condition for its age, with surface wear, pigment loss, and mineral deposits consistent with burial context. Minor chipping along edges and extremities. Stable overall with no evidence of modern repairs. The custom wooden base is not original but enhances display.

Dimensions (Approximate)

Height (including base): 6.25 in
Height (figure only): 4.25 in
Width: 4 in

Age (Approximate)

1,100–1,400 years old

Provenance

From a private collection in St. Petersburg, Florida, USA.

Learn More

Discover Tang Dynasty terracotta court figures at The Art Institute of Chicago

Explore Our Collection of Ancient Chinese Artifacts & Imperial Relics

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