Pair of seated fat ladies; China, Tang Dynasty,... Lot 15

Pair of seated fat ladies; China, Tang Dynasty, AD 618-907. Polychrome terracotta. Thermoluminescence certificate enclosed. Measurements: 34 x 14 x 15 cm (x2). Pair of sculptures made in terracotta, which present two court ladies in a seated position, one of them standing out due to the presence of a little dog which is placed at her feet. Both sculptures retain their polychrome, as can be seen in the details of their clothing and black hair. This type of figurine, known as "fat ladies" due to the canon of beauty of the time, which was somewhat different from today's, depicted courtesans in full dress, highlighting their costumes and elements with the polychrome used, in some cases maintaining a slight curvature on the body that adds elegance. The Tang dynasty is considered by historians to be a period of splendour in Chinese civilisation, equal or even superior to the Han period. Emerging from a period of despotism under the cruel Yang Di, it was established by Li Shimin who, out of filial piety, put his father on the throne before assuming the role of emperor himself and founding the Tang dynasty. Stimulated by contact with India and the Middle East via the Silk Road, the Tang empire experienced a creative boom in many fields. Buddhism, which had emerged in India at the time of Confucius, continued to flourish during this period and was adopted by the imperial family, becoming an essential part of traditional Chinese culture. The development of the printing press also extended the dissemination of written works, giving rise to the golden age of Chinese art and literature.