Ca. 202 BC - 220 AD. A bird figure expertly crafted from terracotta, with naturalistically shaped bronze legs that lend a sense of lifelikeness to the piece. The bird's polychrome plumage is vibrant and finely rendered, with a well-defined tail and a black-pigmented head featuring wide-open eyes and a cream-colored beak. This exquisite example of Mingqi, or burial art, was created to accompany the deceased into the afterlife, serving as a representation of the wealth and status they held in life. The intricate detailing and masterful execution of this piece speak to the skill and craftsmanship of the artisans of the Han Dynasty.Size: L:120mm / W:180mm ; 405gProvenance: East Anglian private collection; formerly acquired in the early 1990s in Hong Kong.