Learning through objects from the Islington Education Library Service’s handling collection

Terracotta Warrior, Replica, China

This figure of a warrior is shown kneeling with one hand across the body and the other beside the right thigh. It has a moustache and small beard and hair worn in an asymmetrical top knot. It is a miniaturized replica of one of a vast army of life sized terracotta warriors discovered in 1974 in the tomb of the First Emperor of China. 

Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi established the Chinese Empire in 221 BCE and ruled until 207BCE.  He united China and introduced laws and systems of weights, measures and money, as well as standarising the Chinese script. He built part of the Great Wall of China to protect his empire and guard against enemies on the northern border.  Little of that original wall remains.

To guard him in the afterworld and show his power, the Emperor had a Terracotta Army of more than 8,000 clay soldiers placed in his tomb. The head, arms, legs and torsos of the figures were created separately and then assembled. Eight face moulds were probably used, and each was modified to show the individual facial features, expressions and hair styles. The figures were originally painted in pink, red, green, blue, black, brown, white and lilac to give them realistic appearances. (The paint has now worn away.) The army also included terracotta officials, acrobats, strongmen, musicians and horses, and real chariots and weapons. The figures were placed in military formation, according to rank, and while all life-size, the highest ranks were shown as the tallest.

You can see numerous images of the Terracotta Army on the internet. Google Terracotta Army Soldiers.

Terracotta Warrior
Height:20cm
Terracotta Warrior
Height:20cm
Terracotta Warrior

This figure of a warrior is shown kneeling with one hand across the body and the other beside the right thigh. It has a moustache and small beard and hair worn in an asymmetrical top knot. It is a miniaturized replica of one of a vast army of life sized terracotta warriors discovered in 1974 in the tomb of the First Emperor of China. 

Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi established the Chinese Empire in 221 BCE and ruled until 207BCE.  He united China and introduced laws and systems of weights, measures and money, as well as standarising the Chinese script. He built part of the Great Wall of China to protect his empire and guard against enemies on the northern border.  Little of that original wall remains.

To guard him in the afterworld and show his power, the Emperor had a Terracotta Army of more than 8,000 clay soldiers placed in his tomb. The head, arms, legs and torsos of the figures were created separately and then assembled. Eight face moulds were probably used, and each was modified to show the individual facial features, expressions and hair styles. The figures were originally painted in pink, red, green, blue, black, brown, white and lilac to give them realistic appearances. (The paint has now worn away.) The army also included terracotta officials, acrobats, strongmen, musicians and horses, and real chariots and weapons. The figures were placed in military formation, according to rank, and while all life-size, the highest ranks were shown as the tallest.

You can see numerous images of the Terracotta Army on the internet. Google Terracotta Army Soldiers.