A striking large Chinese grey pottery figure of a female dancer, made in the tradition of Han dynasty mingqi tomb sculpture, probably dating to the Western Han dynasty, around the 2nd century BC. The figure is modelled in a graceful dancing pose, with the body gently curved, one arm raised high and the other lowered forward, creating a strong sense of ritual movement. This type of gesture is closely associated with Han dynasty sleeve dancers, one of the most elegant and recognisable subjects in early Chinese funerary art.The figure has an impressive sculptural presence, standing 27.5 cm high and weighing 1294 grams. This gives the piece a substantial and serious character, far beyond the effect of a small fragment or minor decorative object. The dense grey earthenware body, surviving pale surface layers, mineral accretions and naturally aged surface structure are all consistent with early Chinese burial pottery. The surface shows areas of pale beige, grey and ochre tone, with an ar...