A Terracotta Figure of an Entertainer

An Eastern Han Dynasty terracotta figure of a drumming storyteller from Sichuan Province, China (25–220 CE). Depicted in an animated seated pose with expressive facial features and raised foot, the sculpture captures the lively spirit associated with Han folk performers. The figure holds a drumstick in one hand while supporting a hand drum beneath the opposite arm, emphasizing its musical and narrative function. The face is one of joy, kindness, and the wisdom of age. Works of this type were created as mingqi funerary objects, intended to entertain and accompany the deceased in the afterlife. The sculpture preserves its original earthen surface and naturally aged patina, including mineral accretions.