Pair of Chinese Tang Terracotta Warrior Figures 618 to 907

A pair of molded terracotta figures from the Tang dynasty that have come from the Mooney family estate, an old East coast family.

The two figures are very similar but not identical. The molded terracotta figures have hollow interiors and were painted at one time. These colors were not fired on, but paint fragments remain. They also had a shiny thin glaze applied which has degraded over time and you can see how it appears to have separated into thin layers. The fired clay is pale buff with darker brown soil spotting. The figures have old soil adhering to the clay.

They had mahogany stands made to fit at a later date that are not Chinese. The stand tops and bases are covered in a chocolate-colored felt.

MEASUREMENTS
Figure 1 – 9 ½” (24.1 cm) tall x 2 ½” (6.4 cm) wide x 2 5/8” (6.7 cm) deep
Figure 2 – 9 ½” (24.1 cm) tall x 2 ½” (6.4 cm) wide x 2 ½” (6.4 cm) deep.
Total weight 1 lb 9.8 oz (735g)

CONDITION
There are no chips, cracks, or breaks. Traces of red paint remain on the chest of both figures, as well as the wrist of one. Traces of black paint remain on the hair. Much of the white glaze has worn off or separated into thin layers. When water is applied to the unglazed clay, it absorbs very, very quickly and gives off a very strong earthy smell.

A step back into an ancient period of China that comes back alive with these two figures.