An extremely tall and large pottery model of a manorial servant (a peasant farmer who could be called upon for military service). The body moulded with a belted robe, a ring-handled sword and a shorter ring-handled knife. The right hand, which is made separately and is detachable, holds a ge (dagger-axe). The head has also been made separately and is detachable. Height 109cm (43 inches).

With a Thermoluminescence Analysis Report from Oxford Authentication for the head confirming the period as Eastern Han Dynasty (AD 25 – 220), the body is untested and could possibly be later. Another smaller and damaged example is also on display at the National Museum of China in Beijing.

For reference: a similar, albeit smaller, example that was excavated in 1957 from Xinjin, Sichuan province, is illustrated and described in the 1996 British Museum book “Mysteries of Ancient China”.

Provenance: from the collection of the late Brian Page (1938-2018), the well-known Oriental art and antiques dealer from Brighton.