Large Terracotta Soldier.  The General.  Statue.  Wood Box.  China

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A reproduction of one of the thousands of terra cotta soldiers from the famous underground Chinese army tomb uncovered in 1974.

 

The tomb held this army on behalf of China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, who died on Sept. 10, 210 B.C.

 

Not-So-Fun Fact:  The terracotta warriors were elaborately decorated with a variety of mineral-based paints, with each inch covered in reds, greens, pinks, browns, whites, blacks and – of course – the long-lost colors of Han purple and Han blue.  For 2,200 years these pigments were able to survive in the cool and humid underground tomb.  But when the warriors were discovered and exposed to the air . . . well, it only took about 15 seconds until the paint curled, flaked and faded.  Within four minutes the colors were lost.

 

This piece was made in Xi’an – in the Shaanxi Province – in the 1970s.

 

In good condition with a minor repair to the General’s hand.  Comes in a wood box.  Stands not included.