Ming Dynasty Sancai Glazed Pottery Tomb Figure of a Ram

Ming Dynasty, c. 1500–1550 AD, China

An exquisite sancai-glazed pottery figure of a ram, an exceptional example of Ming Dynasty funerary art. This stylized sculpture stands foursquare on a rectangular plinth, its body adorned with a rich, lustrous brownish-orange glaze, while its horns and tail are highlighted in deep green. The hooves are painted black, and the underside of the legs and base remain unglazed, revealing the natural pale orange hue of the clay.

Tomb figures, or mingqi, played a vital role in Ming Dynasty burial customs, serving as provisions for the afterlife. These objects—ranging from animals and servants to architectural models—symbolized wealth, companionship, and spiritual protection. The inclusion of animals like sheep, horses, and oxen reflected their cultural and economic importance, ensuring the deceased’s comfort and prosperity in the next world.

During the Ming period (1368–1644 AD), the production of mingqi was an esteemed craft, with artisans employing the sancai (three-color) glazing technique to create vibrant, long-lasting ceramics. This sancai-glazed sheep exemplifies the technical mastery and artistic sophistication of the time, with its harmonious color palette and lifelike modeling.

The number and quality of mingqi varied according to the status and wealth of the deceased. Elite burials featured elaborate assemblages, while simpler tombs contained fewer, yet still meaningful, figures. The presence of this beautifully crafted sheep underscores its symbolic and ritual significance in Ming Dynasty funerary traditions.

A remarkable testament to Chinese artistic heritage, this piece embodies historical elegance and cultural depth—a must-have artifact for collectors and enthusiasts of ancient Chinese art and burial customs.

Excellent condition. Intact. Finely preserved glaze with a nice gloss. Minimal glazing flaws and fritting, with uncleaned deposits of dirt. Size approx. 13,9cm x 11,4cm x 4,8cm.

Provenance: Swedish private collection

References and further reading:

The Matter of Tang Tomb Figures; A New Perspective on a Group of Terracotta Animals and Riders, Lucien Van Valen & Isabelle Garachon, The Rijksmuseum Bulletin, Volume 62. pp. 218-239, 2014.

Dream of Ideal Life in Ancient China: Ceramic Miniatures of Architectures, Household Goods, People and Animals, Aichi.ken Toji Shiryokan, Seto, 2005, no. 14, p. 34.

Antecedents of Sui-Tang Burial Practices in Shaanxi, Mary Fong, Artibus Asiae 51, no:s. 3–4 (1991), pp. 147–98.

Mingqi - Items for the next world, Jan-Erik Nilsson, Gotheborg.com (https://gotheborg.com/glossary/mingqi.shtml)

Immortality of the Spirit: Chinese Funerary Art from the Han and Tang Dynasties Exhibition Catalogue, Jill J. Deupi, Ive Covaci & Leopold Swergold, Immortality of the Spirit - Ephemera. 1, Fairfield University, 2012. (https://digitalcommons.fairfield.edu/immortality_ephemera/1)

The Vibrant Role of Mingqi in Early Chinese Burials, Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History, Heather Colburn Clydesdale, Independent Scholar, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, April 2009. (www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/mgqi/hd_mgqi.htm)