Materials:Earthenware with white slip and red-ochre mineral pigments (polychrome)
Age:If authentic: Tang dynasty, circa 7th–8th century CE; more likely late 20th century (circa 1970–2000) reproduction
Condition:Fair to Good (losses and abrasions to pigments, small chips at headdresses and bases; not TL-tested)
Value:As presented (uncertified, likely reproduction): $300–800 for the pair; If TL-tested and authenticated Tang period: $8,000–20,000 for the pair
Maker's Marks / Writing:No maker’s marks or inscriptions visible.
Date:2025-09-11 09:10:24.553788
Description:
A matched pair of standing court-attendant figures modeled in earthenware, with hands clasped at the chest and long, voluminous robes painted in red-ochre over a pale slip. Each wears a tall crested cap; one figure shows a small moustache. Surfaces show rubbed pigments and encrusted whitish areas typical of burial-style finishes. The forms and drapery derive from Tang dynasty mingqi tomb figures.
一对站立的文官俑，陶质，通体施白衣胎后以红赭色彩绘，双手抱于胸前，衣褶丰厚。头戴高冠，其中一尊可见小胡须。表面可见颜料磨损与粉白色附着物，仿古出土面貌。造型与衣纹明显承袭唐代墓葬明器传统。
Curator Questions
Curated by Jade
Assessment:
These are well-executed Tang-style polychrome earthenware figures representing civil attendants (mingqi). The drapery, clasped-hand posture, and crested caps are consistent with Tang prototypes. However, several traits suggest a later reproduction: relatively bright and uniform red pigment with limited natural abrasion, the very similar modeling between the two figures, crisp edges to some breaks, and lack of visible mineral accretions in recesses typical of long burial. Without thermoluminescence (TL) testing and a reliable provenance, the prudent assumption is modern decorative reproductions. A word about fakes.. Tang tomb figures are among the most frequently forged categories in Asian art, and high-quality replicas have been produced in great quantities since the late 20th century. Fakery check: - Symmetry and near-identical pairing are atypical for excavated groups; - Surface accretions appear applied rather than naturally developed; - Paint tone appears brighter than expected for excavated Tang pigments; - No TL test labels, excavation records, or old collection labels are visible. Recommendation: If you believe they may be period, commission TL tests from two reputable labs and obtain an expert condition/consnoisseurship report; values increase dramatically only with firm authentication.
此对俑为唐代风格的彩绘陶明器文官俑。衣纹、抱手式样与高冠帽形均符合唐代原型。但若干细节提示为后作：红赭色颜料较鲜亮且分布均匀、两尊造型极为接近、部分断口较利落、凹处缺少典型的自然矿化附着物。缺乏热释光（TL）检测与可靠来源档案的情况下，谨慎判断为二十世纪晚期的装饰性复制品。A word about fakes.. 唐俑是亚洲艺术中赝品最为泛滥的门类之一，二十世纪末以来大量高仿复制品充斥市场。伪作核查要点：— 两尊几乎对称成对并不常见于真正出土组合；— 表面“土沁”更像人为做旧；— 彩绘偏鲜亮；— 未见TL检测标签、出土或旧藏标识。建议：若认为可能为真品，可送两家权威机构做TL检测并请专家出具鉴定报告；只有确证为唐代真品，价值才会大幅提升。
Individual Images:
whole item
Provenance:
No provenance provided.
Condition:
Fair to Good (losses and abrasions to pigments, small chips at headdresses and bases; not TL-tested)
Identification Score: 88%
The forms, attire, and clasped-hand posture strongly match Tang tomb attendant figures; multiple consistent features across both pieces support this identification, though authenticity remains uncertain.
造型、衣饰与抱手姿态与唐代墓葬文官俑高度吻合；两件之间特征一致，足以确定类型。但其真伪仍存疑。
Authenticity Score: 25%
Without TL testing, secure provenance, or irrefutable burial accretions, and given the uniform paint and near-identical pairing, the probability favors a late 20th-century reproduction rather than a Tang-period original.
在未进行热释光检测、无可靠来源及缺乏明确出土风化迹象的情况下，加之两尊几乎一致与彩绘较为鲜亮，更可能为二十世纪晚期复制品而非唐代原作。
Image Memory Note
Photo shows two standing Chinese-style earthenware figures displayed behind glass with strong reflections from ceiling spotlights. Both figures stand on integral bases with flowing ankle-length robes. Hands are clasped at chest level beneath robe sleeves. Pigments: red-ochre on sleeves and robe panels over a pale whitish slip; faces and hands largely unpainted or with faded traces. Left figure: cap with forward-tilting crest; minor chip at front tip; softer facial features; no moustache; notable abrasion on left sleeve and lower robe; small chip front-left base. Right figure: similar cap with chip to front edge; defined moustache and small beard on chin; more pronounced orange-red areas on sleeves; scuffed areas on chest and lower hem; small chip front-right base. White chalky accretions present in some folds but not heavy. No visible inscriptions, TL test labels, or old collection stickers on the bases or backs. Height not stated; proportions suggest roughly 30–50 cm each. Background shows modern shelving and HVAC vent; no other identifying labels.
照片中两尊中国风格立俑置于玻璃柜内，顶部射灯反光明显。两俑均立于一体式基座之上，长袍至踝，双手抱于胸前藏于袖中。彩绘为白色泥衣打底，袖部及袍襟施红赭色；面部与双手基本无彩或仅存残迹。左俑：高冠前倾，前端有小缺；面部圆润无胡须；左袖与下摆磨损较重；基座左前缘见小磕。右俑：同式高冠前缘缺损；上唇有小胡子，下巴见短须；袖部橙红彩较明显；胸前与下摆有擦痕；基座右前缘有小磕。褶皱内有少量白色粉质附着，但并不厚重。未见任何款识、热释光检测标签或旧藏标贴。尺寸未标注，比例推测约30–50厘米高。背景为现代展架与空调出风口，无其他说明牌。
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