Lady with Phoenix Headdress, Tang dynasty (618- 907). Earthenware with three-color (sancai) glaze, 44.5 × 10.2 × 9.2 cm. Detroit Institute of Arts, City of Detroit Purchase, 29.342.

Wearing an elaborate phoenix headdress and fancy shoes that curl up at the toes, this fashionista is dressed to make an appearance at the imperial court. Originally, the sculpture may have been one among many in a set of court ladies, made for the tomb of an aristocrat. Called mingqi — a word that roughly translates to “spirit utensil” — ceramic figurines like this one were believed to contain the essence of the person or thing represented, providing the deceased with everything they would need in the afterlife.

The green, amber, and creamy white glaze of this earthenware figure is known as sancai (Chinese for “three colors”). It was especially popular during the Tang dynasty (618 – 907).