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Under the Tang China experienced a period of great cultural flowering, remarkable for its achievements across all areas of the arts and sciences. The tolerance of the Tang Imperial Court to outside influence and the free movement along the East- West trade route known as the Silk Road saw major urban centres become thriving cosmopolitan cities, with the Chinese capital, Chang’an (modern Xian) expanding to reach a population of over one million.
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<br>In keeping with centuries of tradition, funerary rites remained very important. A separate government department existed with responsibility for overseeing the manufacture of funerary wares. Officially there were limits on the number of grave goods and restrictions on the size of the objects which could accompany the deceased, according to rank – the highest ranked officials were meant to have a maximum of 90 figurines, no more than 30cm tall while members of the Imperial family were allowed several hundred up to about one meter tall. However, these rules were frequently broken. The deceased’s relatives believed they could improve their ancestor’s status in the afterlife by providing mingqi in excess of necessity, thereby ensuring their own good fortune. Tang Dynasty figurative ceramics share particular characteristics. The forms are animated and life-like, the subject matter covers all aspects of social and ritual life and the scale of the figures was reasonably small with the exception of some magnificent larger works commissioned for the tombs of the elite. Figures of courtiers and entertainers, polo players and the exotic travelers who now regularly arrived in the Chinese cities with their great pack camels became common place, illustrating the cosmopolitan nature of the times. The variety of forms tells us that craftsmen had scope for individual innovation and were not controlled by rules regarding particular styles. Now the funerary wares spoke not only of power and military strength, but also of the sophistication and intellectual achievements of the deceased.

Sancai-Glazed Horse with Cut-Fur Blanket

Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD)

29 1/2 x 33 x 12 in.

The Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD) was a prosperous cultural period that helped shape Chinese history's foundations for future centuries. This era was marked by notable technological and cultural advances, including gunpowder and printing. Among artistic advances during this period was the perfection of the sancai glaze technique, which was a prominent attribute of sculpture during this period. Sancai (tri-colored) glazing; the three glaze-colors used were ochre or brown, green and clear. Glazed wares where much more costly to produce than other terracotta wares, and were therefore only reserved for the wealthiest patrons.
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<br>The Sancai-Glazed Earth Spirit offered here depicts a "Zhenmushou." These are mythical hybrid creatures whose bodies are a combination of dogs, lions, boars and other animals. These fierce looking beasts would be found in pairs guarding the entrance of Tang Dynasty tombs.

Sancai-Glazed Earth Spirit

Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD)

47 1/4 x 14 x 14 in.

The Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD) was a prosperous period that helped shape Chinese history's foundations for future centuries. This era was marked by notable technological and cultural advances, including gunpowder and printing. Among artistic advances during this period was the perfection of the sancai glaze technique, which was a prominent attribute of sculpture during this period. Sancai (tri-colored) glazing used the three glaze-colors were ochre or brown, green and clear. Glazed wares were much more costly to produce than other terracotta wares, and were therefore only reserved for the wealthiest patrons.
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<br>This Sancai-Glazed Horse would have been an incredible status symbol for its owner and many have been lost to time. This sculpture is comparable to examples held in museum collections worldwide, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.

Sancai-Glazed Horse

Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD)

25 x 26 x 9 in.

The Liao Dynasty, also known as the Khitan Empire, was an empire in northern China that ruled over the regions of Manchuria, Mongolia, and parts of northern China proper. It was founded by the Yelü family of the Khitan people in the final years of the Tang Dynasty, even though its first ruler, Yelü Abaoji, did not declare an era name until 916. The Liao Empire was destroyed by the Jurchen of the Jin Dynasty in 1125. However, remnants of its people led by Yelu Dashi established the Xi (Western) Liao Dynasty 1125-1220, also known as Kara-Khitan Khanate, which survived until the arrival of Genghis Khan’s Mongolian cavalry.

Procession Ornament

Liao Dynasty, 907-1125AD

22 1/2 x 10 x 8 1/4 in.

CHINESE - Daoist Wooden Figure - lacquered and painted wood - 47 x 20 x 19 in.

Daoist Wooden Figure

14th-17th century

47 x 20 x 19 in.

lacquered and painted wood

The Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD) was a prosperous cultural period that helped shape Chinese history's foundations for future centuries. This era was marked by notable technological and cultural advances, including gunpowder and printing. Among artistic advances during this period was the perfection of the sancai glaze technique, which was a prominent attribute of sculpture during this period. Sancai (tri-colored) glazing; the three glaze-colors used were ochre or brown, green and clear. Glazed wares where much more costly to produce than other terracotta wares, and were therefore only reserved for the wealthiest patrons.
<br>
<br>The Sancai-Glazed Earth Spirit offered here depicts a "Zhenmushou." These are mythical hybrid creatures whose bodies are a combination of dogs, lions, boars and other animals. These fierce looking beasts would be found in pairs guarding the entrance of Tang Dynasty tombs.

Sancai-Glazed Earth Spirit

CHINESE - Sancai-Glazed Official - glazed pottery - Height: 34 in.

Sancai-Glazed Official

Tang Dyansty (618-907 AD)

CHINESE - Camel - painted earthenware pottery - 11 x 22 x 10 in.

Tang Dynasty (618-906AD)

11 x 22 x 10 in.

painted earthenware pottery

CHINESE - "Stick" Figure - painted pottery - Height: 24 1/2 in.

Han Dynasty (206 B.C. - A.D. 220)

Height: 24 1/2 in.

painted pottery

CHINESE - "Stick" Figure - painted pottery - Height: 23 1/2 in.

Han Dynasty (206 B.C. - A.D. 220)

Height: 23 1/2 in.

painted pottery

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Education

Education is of the utmost importance at Heather James Art Advisory. Whether you are a seasoned collector or just beginning, we aim to grow with our clients and believe fully in providing information and insight to help our clients learn and cultivate their art interests.

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Heather James Art Advisory brings decades of curatorial experience with guidance from our Senior Curatorial staff who have organized exhibitions globally at museums, galleries and in private residences. Bringing together aesthetic and art historical elements, we will help your collection and home reflect your artistic interests.

Logistics

HJ Art Advisory provides complete logistics when handling, transporting, and supervising our clients’ artworks. Our oversight involves every aspect of care with the artwork. We oversee every step of the process with transporting, installing, and storing artworks. We advise on and facilitate framing design, lighting, security requirements, conservation and condition assessment.

Documentation

When purchasing artworks, HJ Art Advisory researches the provenance of the artwork and will seek representations and warranties from the seller, that the seller has valid title and that the object is free from any liens, claims and encumbrances.
HJ Art Advisory will seek indemnification for a full refund for the artwork in the event of breach of warranty (possibly include this line???).
Private Sales and Auction Process: Critical information to capture include: Artist, Artwork Title, Date, Medium, Dimensions, Price, Image, Offering entity, Provenance, Certificates, Invoice (when possible), Condition report, Liens, Litigation, Ownership Title.

Museum Loans

Heather James has been honored to facilitate loans to top museums across the world including MoMA, the Centre Pompidou, and more. HJ Art Advisory takes care of all the necessary paperwork and logistics for our collectors who decide to lend an artwork to a museum exhibition.

Authentication

HJ Art Advisory maintains the highest standards of due diligence through inquiry, research, and provenance of objects prior to acquisition to determine that clear title can be obtained. Such research includes, but is not limited to, determining:

Ownership history of the object
Countries in which the object has been located and when.
Exhibition history of the object
Publication history of the object
Any claims object ownership if they’ve been made
Databases of stolen objects relevant to the object
The circumstances under which the object is being offered
Relevant research sources, including: The ArtLoss Register or other databases.
Warranty and indemnification representations from the seller, ensuring the seller has valid title, and the object is free from any liens, claims and encumbrances
Nazi/World War II Era research and documentation following guidelines relating to the acquisition of objects likely to have been in German-occupied Europe between 1933 and 1945

Finance

HJ Art Advisory assists clients with asset-backed lending, purchasing art for trusts, estate planning. We offer our expertise on art market insights to best position our clients when making decisions for their collection. We work with estates, legal teams, and financial advisors to best support our clients and their goals.
Heather James Fine Art is not a registered investment, legal, or tax advisor. All investment and financial opinions expressed by Heather James Fine Art are opinion based on personal research. Past performance is not a guarantee of future return, nor is it necessarily indicative of future performance.

Sales and Acquisitions

HJ Art Advisory is focused on sourcing artworks for potential acquisitions from private sales, auction houses, and artist commissions. HJ Art Advisory continually monitors the private and public market for significant artworks pertaining to our clients’ interests that will enhance their collections. We negotiate the sale or selling price on behalf of a collector in order to achieve the best possible deal for our clients.

Value & Insurance

HJ Art Advisory group evaluates and appraises art collections for insurance valuation, acquisition, and deaccession. This involves in-depth research of both private and public art market analysis to determine value.

Connoisseurship

HJ Art Advisory works with, and on behalf, of clients developing new collections or with well-established collections, providing advice and an in-depth offering of services. Our extensive knowledge and experience along with many years in the art business positions our highly skilled and experienced staff to provide guidance and direction on multiple levels.

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