General. Excavated from the Mausoleum of Qinshihuang, near Xi'an, in 1976, Qin dynasty, 221 - 206 BCE. Terra-cotta, height 192 cm, Museum of the Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses of Qinshihuang, Shaanxi Province. © The Israel Museum

Detail: head. General. Excavated from the Mausoleum of Qinshihuang, near Xi'an, in 1976, Qin dynasty, 221 - 206 BCE. Terra-cotta, height 192 cm, Museum of the Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses of Qinshihuang, Shaanxi Province. © The Israel Museum

Detail: fish-scale armor. General. Excavated from the Mausoleum of Qinshihuang, near Xi'an, in 1976, Qin dynasty, 221 - 206 BCE. Terra-cotta, height 192 cm, Museum of the Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses of Qinshihuang, Shaanxi Province. © The Israel Museum

The authoritative figure, which once held a sword, represents a commander in the army of Qin Shi Huangdi. He wears a chest guard, possibly made of lacquered leather, which descends from his shoulders to cover his upper arms, and his lower body is protected by fish-scale armor connected with laces to allow for freedom of movement. His intricate bird-shaped headdress, which ties under his chin, identifies him as a general.