This is a Han dynasty (202 BC – 220 AD) pottery statue of a kneeling lady. It is 16 cm tall, and quite heavy. It is from a grey pottery,cold painted with a white slip, decorated in red and black pigments.

 These figures are often faked, according to Anthony Allen, in his book authenticating early chinese ceramics. His book shows several figures like this. I think this one is authentic.

  At first I thought it was sawn off, but there are more of these figures around in this form.

 In the close-ups you can see a natural degrading of the white slip and the colored pigments.

 The paint is never covering the soil. The overall shape is convincing.

 The clay absorbs water quick, and matches the normal grey pottery from the period.

collection-nr 11-2012