Placed in a tomb to
serve as protection and company for the diseased a serving maiden such as this
Tang maiden bronze was considered an essential attendant in the afterworld. To
insure the well-being of the diseased musicians, servants, acrobats, guards, dancers,
grooms, horses, camels and other animals, carriages, warriors, and in some cases
entire replicas of a Chinese household, including living quarters, farming out-buildings,
and so on were put inside the tomb.
This
bronze maiden exhibits all the characteristics of a beautiful classic Tang woman.
Unlike the early aesthetic of the Northern Wei, the Tang gave way to a new aesthetic
that favored a fuller rounder, softer physique. This maiden wears a long billowing
gown with loose fitting arms. The hems of the gown trail the floor revealing crescent
moon toecaps on her slippers. Her hair is coiffed into a distinctive coiffure
a high chignon balanced at the center of her head. Her hands are gently folded
in front of her and her head slightly bowed reveals a sublime supplication. This
bronze has thick layers of encrusted malachite at all points of the surface not
unlike a 10th century artifact. However, we can only confirm to this date with
further research. If it is a replica it is likely exceeded three hundred years
old. We find this a highly convincing bronze defined by classical markers and
grace.
