This grey pottery figure of a female attendant wears a long flared skirt and the typical long-sleeved wrap-over outer robe. The two holes cut into the sleeves were originally intended for the insertion of detachable hands, which are now missing. These hands would have probably held an offering. This figure from the Han dynasty served as a burial ware or ‘ming qi’.The custom of making ‘mingqi’ was an ancient one. It is thought these wares were necessary for the deceased in the next world. Elaborate groups of burial wares were also a display of wealth and social status.
