The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of March 15, 2026

Female Figure of a Court Entertainer Dancing (Head)

100s CE

China, Sichuan province, Eastern Han dynasty

(25–220 CE)
Pottery with traces of color pigment
60 cm (23 5/8 in.)
Gift of Barbara S. Robinson and Family 2023.98.b
Location: Not on view

Did You Know?

The dancer lifts her robe to reveal what appears to be a drum underneath her garment.

Description

During the Han era, tombs of the elite were provided with sculpted renditions of their earthly entourage, such as guardians or musicians, to signify their status in the afterlife. The female dancer with elaborate hairdo held by flower ornaments raises one arm holding her wide sleeve with one hand, while the other lifts her robe to reveal what appears to be a drum underneath her garment, her face smiling, all in a gesture of an entertainer.
  • ?–1999
    (Lally, Ltd., New York, NY, sold to Barbara S. Robinson)
    before 1980s–2023
    Barbara S. Robinson [d. 2023], Cleveland, OH, bequest to the Cleveland Museum of Art
    2023–
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • {{cite web|title=Female Figure of a Court Entertainer Dancing (Head)|url=false|author=|year=100s CE|access-date=15 March 2026|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/2023.98.b