Tang Dynasty Earthenware 'Fat Lady' Figure

A large Chinese earthenware figure of a 'Fat lady', Tang Dynasty (618-906 AD), modelled standing with curvaceous body swayed to the side, wearing a long, loose robe, her delicate hands touching, her full face with a serene countenance, with rouged cheeks, and 'Moth' eyebrows, framed by the elaborate coiffure, and cloud-toed shoes, with traces of coloured pigment on the face and hair, 48.5 cm high, the University of Wollongong certificate no. W4607 is consistent with the dating of this lot., reference: for a similar example of a 'Fat lady', please refer to Christie's, New York, 19 March 2001, Lot 18, similar court ladies of this type were excavated with others in 1955 from tomb 131 at Gaolon village, Xian, Shaaxi province, and included in the exhibition, the Quest for Eternity, Los Angeles County Museum, Los Angeles, 1987, catalogue, pp. 139 and 140, nos. 83 and 84., catalogue note: as with other pottery court ladies of this type, the 'Plump' beauty was modelled on the 'Ideal' fashion of the day, and it is purported, that this was due largely to the infamous and beloved Tang Dynasty Imperial Concubine of the Emperor Xuanzong.