Terracotta Guardian Figure

Han Dynasty (206 BC–220 AD)This terracotta figure depicts a standing guardian or attendant dressed in a long robe with wide sleeves over loose-fitting trousers. Traces of the original red, black, and white polychrome decoration remain visible across the surface, preserving evidence of the sculpture’s once vibrant appearance. The raised right hand contains a perforation, indicating that it originally held a separately made attribute, likely a wooden weapon, staff, or ceremonial object that has not survived. Created as a mingqi (spirit object) for placement within a tomb, figures of this type accompanied the deceased into the afterlife as protectors and attendants. They reflect the Han dynasty belief that social order, security, and daily life continued beyond death, while also providing valuable insight into contemporary dress, funerary customs, and the artistic traditions of early imperial China.