Lot 165. Two painted gray pottery figures of female attendants, Early Tang dynasty (618-907). Height of taller 12 1/4  in., 31.1 cm. Estimate 18,000 — 20,000 USD. Lot sold 21,250 USD. Photo: Sotheby's.

both figures standing, one holding cymbals, wearing a tunic belted above the waist and cloud-shaped slippers peeking out from underneath the hem, the head turning to one side with the hair pulled up into a tidy topknot, the other in an equally animated pose, gracefully stepping forward, with one arm raised, the other held  to one side, eyes gazing downward, wearing a long robe and belted surcoat with extravagantly long, pleated sleeves that echo the dancer's movement, remaining traces of white slip and red and green pigments (2). 

Provenance: Yamanaka & Co., Japan (according to labels).

Sotheby's. Important Chinese Works of Art, New York, 17 march 2015, 02:00 PM