Ca. AD 618-907
A Chinese terracotta statue of a ‘Fat Lady.’ Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, the statue stands with a graceful pose, resting upon an integral flat base. She wears a long, flowing robe that drapes softly around her form; one of her small hands, raised in a poised gesture, remains uncovered. Her face, delicately painted, features rouged cheeks that enhance her complexion, while her black eyebrows add definition to her expression. A lavish coiffure frames her face, meticulously arranged to accentuate her beauty. Traces of coloured pigment on the robe, face, and hair. 
 
The popularity of the ‘Fat Lady’ figurines reflects a broader cultural shift in the perception of feminine beauty during the Tang Dynasty. These figurines became visual manifestations of this evolving beauty standard, embodying the grace and allure of women with more generous proportions. This piece has been precisely dated having undergone Thermo Luminescence analysis by Ralf Kotalla. For similar see: Christie’s, Live Auction 2830, Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, Lot 2070.
 
Provenance: East Anglian private collection; formerly acquired in the early 1990s in Hong Kong.