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Ming Dynasty Terracotta Funerary Table from China, 15th-16th Century.
Sold by Roy Precious - Antiques & Fine Art
sold SA574778
Sorry, but this item has been sold.
Roy Precious - Antiques & Fine Art

Roy Precious - Antiques & Fine Art

Sellingantiques Verified Since Mar 2003
Browse dealers 91 items
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    Roy and nadine precious: specialists in portraiture from the 16th to the 20th century. Established in 1972.
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Ming Dynasty Terracotta Funerary Table from China, 15th-16th Century.

17th century
Sold 5 September 2025 · Roy Precious - Antiques & Fine Art
This “Ming Dynasty Terracotta Funerary Table from China, 15th-16th Century” found a buyer.

It was listed by Roy Precious - Antiques & Fine Art. Sold pieces stay on Sellingantiques as a record of what has passed through, and the next one is rarely far away.

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Description

A rare Ming dynasty terracotta funerary table from 15th-16th century China. This table was made with terracotta during the Ming Dynasty and displays a variety of elements of food and drink. This small item is a typical Chinese altar, painted in green with tempera. Modelled and painted miniature food and drinks are arranged on it. Called Mingqi, these kinds of terracotta models were traditionally placed in the Chinese burials for the wealthy deceased, in order to assist the them in the afterlife, a practice that dates back to the Neolithic Period.

Mingqi: sometimes referred to as "spirit objects" are Chinese burial goods. They included daily utensils, musical instruments, weapons, armour, and intimate objects such as the deceased's cap and bamboo mat. Mingqi also could include figurines of soldiers, servants, musicians, polo riders, houses, and horses.

Mingqi served to provide the deceased with necessities and comforts in the afterlife. The deceased person's corporeal spirit was said to remain in the realm of the tomb while the ethereal spirit ascended to heaven. To appease the deceased's corporeal spirit mingqi that were relevant and liked by the deceased were placed in his tomb. Upon placing mingqi in the tomb, humans, according to the Confucian ideal, were harmonizing the cosmos by striking a balance for the comfort of the deceased who is also comforted in heaven.

Although this item is in the earlier Han Dynasty style (206 BC–220 AD), it is probably Ming Dynasty (1368–1644) . Chinese potters often used an earlier style as a mark of respect to their ancestors.

SIZE: height 7 inches. width 10 inches. depth 6.5 inches.

PROVENANCE: With certificate of authenticity from antiquities specialist Vanessa Purcell & Co. 28th April 1995.

Physical Dimensions
Height
17.5cm (6.89")
Width
25.5cm (10.04")
Depth
16.5cm (6.50")
Declaration

Roy Precious - Antiques & Fine Art has dated this Ming Dynasty Terracotta Table to the Before 1700 period.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA574778
Dealers Internal Reference
9094
Description
A rare Ming dynasty terracotta funerary table from 15th-16th century China.
“
This table was made with terracotta during the Ming Dynasty and displays a variety of elements of food and drink.
Roy Precious - Antiques & Fine Art

This small item is a typical Chinese altar, painted in green with tempera. Modelled and painted miniature food and drinks are arranged on it. Called Mingqi, these kinds of terracotta models were traditionally placed in the Chinese burials for the wealthy deceased, in order to assist the them in the afterlife, a practice that dates back to the Neolithic Period.

fig 1. An ancient Ming Dynasty terracotta funerary table model featuring miniature offerings and a green lead glaze.
fig 1. Ming Dynasty Terracotta Funerary Table from China, 15th-16th Century.

Mingqi: sometimes referred to as "spirit objects" are Chinese burial goods. They included daily utensils, musical instruments, weapons, armour, and intimate objects such as the deceased's cap and bamboo mat. Mingqi also could include figurines of soldiers, servants, musicians, polo riders, houses, and horses.

fig 2. An ancient Ming Dynasty terracotta funerary table model featuring miniature offerings and a green lead glaze.
fig 2. Ming Dynasty Terracotta Funerary Table from China, 15th-16th Century.

Mingqi served to provide the deceased with necessities and comforts in the afterlife. The deceased person's corporeal spirit was said to remain in the realm of the tomb while the ethereal spirit ascended to heaven. To appease the deceased's corporeal spirit mingqi that were relevant and liked by the deceased were placed in his tomb. Upon placing mingqi in the tomb, humans, according to the Confucian ideal, were harmonizing the cosmos by striking a balance for the comfort of the deceased who is also comforted in heaven.

fig 3. An ancient Ming Dynasty terracotta funerary table model featuring miniature offerings and a green lead glaze.
fig 3. Ming Dynasty Terracotta Funerary Table from China, 15th-16th Century.

Although this item is in the earlier Han Dynasty style (206 BC–220 AD), it is probably Ming Dynasty (1368–1644) . Chinese potters often used an earlier style as a mark of respect to their ancestors.

SIZE: height 7 inches. width 10 inches. depth 6.5 inches.

PROVENANCE: With certificate of authenticity from antiquities specialist Vanessa Purcell & Co. 28th April 1995.

Height
17.5cm (6.89")
Width
25.5cm (10.04")
Depth
16.5cm (6.50")
Date of Manufacture

Roy Precious - Antiques & Fine Art has dated this Ming Dynasty Terracotta Table to the Before 1700 period.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA574778
Dealers Internal Ref
9094
Roy Precious - Antiques & Fine Art
Roy Precious - Antiques & Fine Art
Sellingantiques verified Since Mar 2003

Roy and nadine precious: specialists in portraiture from the 16th to the 20th century. Established in 1972.

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Roy Precious - Antiques & Fine Art Profile Page

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An ancient Ming Dynasty terracotta funerary table model featuring miniature offerings and a green lead glaze. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO
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Archive I An ancient Ming Dynasty terracotta funerary table model featuring miniature offerings and a green lead glaze. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO

Ming Dynasty Terracotta Funerary Table from China, 15th-16th Century.

Archive II An ancient Ming Dynasty terracotta funerary table model featuring miniature offerings and a green lead glaze. View II
Archive III An ancient Ming Dynasty terracotta funerary table model featuring miniature offerings and a green lead glaze. View III
Archive IV An ancient Ming Dynasty terracotta funerary table model featuring miniature offerings and a green lead glaze. View IV
Archive V An ancient Ming Dynasty terracotta funerary table model featuring miniature offerings and a green lead glaze. View V
Archive VI An ancient Ming Dynasty terracotta funerary table model featuring miniature offerings and a green lead glaze. View VI
Archive VII An ancient Ming Dynasty terracotta funerary table model featuring miniature offerings and a green lead glaze. View VII
Enlarged Archival View
Roy Precious - Antiques & Fine Art

Roy Precious - Antiques & Fine Art
Telephone 01249 815048 or 07710 222273
Location
Wiltshire
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/rp
Verified Since Mar 2003
Items For Sale 91
Items Sold 684
Roy Precious - Antiques & Fine Art
Roy Precious - Antiques & Fine Art
Verified Since Mar 2003
View Dealer Info
Location: Wiltshire, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/rp
Verified
Mar 2003
For Sale
91
Sold
684
An ancient Ming Dynasty terracotta funerary table model featuring miniature offerings and a green lead glaze.
Ming Dynasty Terracotta Funerary Table from China, 15th-16th Century.
Ref: SA574778
An ancient Ming Dynasty terracotta funerary table model featuring miniature offerings and a green lead glaze.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Detail View 4
Detail View 5
Detail View 6
Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectSculptures and Figurines
  • Period17th century
  • StyleMing Dynasty
  • MaterialTerracotta, Earthenware, Lead Glaze
  • ColourGreen and Cream
  • MotifsMiniature food offerings, Green lead glaze, H-form support legs, Moulded ceramic details
  • SizeH 17.5 cm (7 in) x W 25.5 cm (10 in) x D 16.5 cm (6 in)

FAQs

Ming Dynasty funerary objects, known as mingqi, were placed in tombs to provide the deceased with necessities and comforts for the afterlife, reflecting the social status and belief systems of the period.

These items are typically crafted from moulded terracotta or earthenware, often finished with lead-glazed surfaces in green, amber, or cream tones, which were fired at lower temperatures.

Authenticity is determined through examining the clay body composition, surface weathering, firing characteristics, and characteristic signs of age such as burial soil encrustations and craquelure in the glaze.

Displaying museum-quality antiquities on minimalist surfaces, within glass cabinets, or paired with contemporary lighting creates a sophisticated contrast that highlights their historical form and texture.

Preservation requires stable indoor humidity and temperature control, protection from direct sunlight, and gentle dusting with a soft, dry brush to avoid damaging fragile surfaces and glazes.
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