#funerary object

3rd/4th century hair bun from the burial of a #Roman lady, still with the jet pins in place

[Description: A sculpture in the shape of a cat sitting up, with its tail curled around to one side; its nose is mostly missing and any paint has worn off, but it has extremely large oval ears, perked forward as if it is listening intently.]

~Tomb figure. Place of origin: China (made) Date:700-750 (made) Unknown (production) Materials and Techniques: Painted earthenware, coloured with lead glazes The use of tomb figures was a widespread practice in China since the Han dynasty (208 BC-AD 220). Funerary objects, either figures or vessels and daily tools, were placed in the burial to recreate a familiar environment and to accompany the deceased in the afterlife. This earthenware figure is part of a group of eight female attendants or dancers, wearing high-waisted dresses and long shawls typical of the early Tang period (AD 618-907). The group is divided into four pairs, each characterised by a different hairstyle; in this case the hair is combed in a V-shaped chignon on the top of the head. Neck and head are left unglazed, sometimes with traces of unfired red painting on lips and cheeks, and of black colour on the eyes or hair. The body is decorated with yellow-brown, green and colourless lead glazes, from which comes the name sancai or 'three colours' given to this kind of ware.