a red pottery figure of a Courtier Early Tang dynasty

the well-modeled figure standing proudly in a swaying posture while glancing to his right, his hands together at his chest, the arms concealed by the long sleeves of his robe, his facial features emphasized by flared nostrils and large eyes under alert brows, surmounted by a high lobed court headdress, the brick-red pottery showing traces of white, red and black pigment, fitted mahogany stand (2)

J.J. Lally & Co., New York (until 19th October 1987).
Thereafter with the present owners.

Inspected under UV light. There is a cross-sectional break at the hip, with expected attendant cracks below, resulting in approximately seven restored sections. The area above the hip does not appear to have been affected. There is also a thin fissure in the clay above the right ear rising up to the topknot.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

A taller related painted pottery figure, formerly in the Eumorfopoulos collection, is illustrated in John Ayers, Far Eastern Ceramics in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 1980, pl. 10, of similar crisp modeling but with a cape above its robe painted with characteristic Tang scrollwork designs. Compare also a figure standing on a high pedestal and painted in strong colors, but otherwise closely related in style to the present figure, excavated from the tomb of Li Zhen, Prince of Yue, eighth son of emperor Taizong and brother-in-law of Empress Wu Zetian, included in the exhibition Kunstschatze aus China, Museum fur Ostasiatische Kunst, Berlin, 1981, cat. no. 70. 

See also a smaller figure of this type, in the Tokyo National Museum, published in the Illustrated Catalogues of Tokyo National Museum. Chinese Ceramics, vol.1, Tokyo, 1988, cat. no. 177; a figure sold in our London rooms, 27th November 1990, lot 97; and another pottery figure sold at Christie's New York, 3rd June 1993, lot 167.