Kneeling Archer in the Metropolitan Museum of Art,July 2017

Kneeling Archer

China


Object Details

秦 陶跪射俑

Title: Kneeling Archer

Period: Qin dynasty (221–206 B.C.)

Culture: China

Medium: Earthenware with traces of pigments

Dimensions: H. 48 in. (121.9 cm): W. 27 in. (68.6 cm); D.19 1/4 in. (48.9 cm); Wt. 304.2 lb. (138 kg)

Classification: Sculpture

Credit Line: Lent by Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum

Excavations of the mausoleum of the First Emperor of Qin revealed terracotta models of 108 cavalry, 332 archers and infantry, and a combined unit of more than 300 charioteers, cavalry, and infantry, all fully armored. Based on this figure’s gestures, we can assume that he was an archer, whose original weapon—a crossbow— is now lost. He is the only figure on view here that still bears traces of color, indicating that he was once vividly painted (see the red of his armor laces and the black of his collar). Chemical analysis suggests the use of mineral pigments such as cinnabar, azurite, malachite, bone or lead white, and an artificially produced mineral pigment commonly known as “Han purple.”

Text from: www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/640798