TANG DYNASTY (AD 618-907)

Music and dance were highly popular at the Tang court, and the costumes and coiffures of these musicians and dancers reflect the fashion for women during the Tang dynasty. Contemporary pottery figures depict court ladies with various instruments, as well as in dancing poses. The present figure is unusual in being shown standing, as musicians are more often shown seated or in kneeling poses. For two painted pottery kneeling female musicians see J-P. Desroches, Compagnons d’éternité, Paris, 1996, pp. 154-155. The present figure is also distinguished by her delicately rendered face, and the elegant manner in which she holds the hourglass-shaped drum, with her hands concealed by the long sleeves.

The stance and dress of the present figure, with the hair pulled back in a single knot and the long, high-waisted robe and upturned shoes, is similar to Tang-dynasty sancai-glazed figures, sometimes shown with the hands held at front and holding a bird. An example of this type from the collection of L. Wannieck, Paris, was sold at Christie’s New York, 18 December 2014, lot 717.