A large Chinese Painted Pottery Court Lady, Tang Dynasty, <br><em>ca. mid 8th century CE</em>

One of the most iconic and desired of all Tang ceramic types, a charming terracotta court lady with a sensitively modeled face of pinkish flesh tones, red lips, and black highlighting eyes and brows. She stands on an integral base, dressed in long-sleeved, flowing robes that emphasize the fluid folds and pleats of her gown, thus providing a sense of grace and dynamism to her voluptuous figure.  The robe covers her left foot, but her tiny right foot, encased within a small upturned shoe, peeps from the hem of her gown. She holds both her hands in front of her with her right hand lightly fisted. Her hair is dressed into an elaborate coiffure, and tied into a knot at the top. Background: The Tang sculptors’ careful attention to fashion and physiognomy details allows us to trace in their works the changing fashions of ladies at court during this period. Models of court ladies made in the early part of the Tang dynasty depict them wearing tight-fitting garments that accentuated their slende