A Terracotta Figure of a Cook Holding Birds

Han Dynasty, China, 206 BCE–220 CE Terracotta figure of a cook depicted standing in a composed frontal pose while holding a small bird in one hand and a chicken beneath the opposite arm. The figure wears a long cross-collared robe with traces of original pigment remaining across the surface, reflecting the painted pottery traditions of the Han Dynasty. Sculptures of this type were produced as mingqi funerary objects intended to accompany elite burials and provide service and sustenance for the deceased in the afterlife. The gentle facial expression, rounded proportions, and stylized attire exemplify the highly expressive Sichuan style.