Terracotta Soldier Warrior Head. Officer. Replica. Qin Shi Huang. Xi’an City. China
Click the photo above for a larger version and more pictures
In the early spring of 1974, workers sinking a well in Xiyang Village suddenly discovered an ancient bronze weapon and pieces of broken terracotta armored warriors. That was the start. Within two years, three pits were found and within 8,000 terracotta warriors, horses and more than 100 chariots.
But that was just the beginning.
Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty from 221-206 B.C., was a powerful feudal ruler with great talent and a bold vision. He was superstitious about longevity and sent alchemists with several thousand children to search for a longevity concoction in the East China Sea. And then there was the mausoleum project . . . taking three-quarter of a million laborers, 37 years.
And he wanted to take an army with him. About a mile away from his mausoleum, he created an immense underground military museum . . never mentioned in China’s history books.
There were infantry, cavalry and charioteers. I have looked at countless photos of the various faces for each type of warrior … and their headgear. This sculpture is of an officer with the appropriate headgear for that rank.
What is especially relevant is the post/neck. Many of the bodies were cast separate from the head. The head was attached after the body was erected. The angle of the “post” is most likely the angle of the original heads when inserted in the body.
So, this head will not sit erect on its own. I am including a tubular stand that allows the head to be displayed upright.
I purchased this from a collector in France who received it as a gift from a Chinese diplomat.
A few surface scrapes that expose the terracotta. Other than that, no chips.
It’s a rare find for a Serious Collector.