A large pottery figure of an elegant court lady. She is swaying slightly as she leans forward, her flowing robes falling down in gentle folds. Her black hair is elaborately coiffed in a high poufy chignon- typical of the High Tang period - in a style know as a gaoji. Her face, with full rounded cheeks, has been modelled with fine features. The make-up is applied as it would have been fashionable at court: red on the lips and cheeks painted with rouge- in a style referred to as ‘giddy with liquor’. The eyebrows and eyes are defined with black pigments. Her gown is long and flowing, comprising a loose skirt and wide-sleeved short coat – both are decorated with orange, red and green pigments. Her cloud-toe shoes peek out from under the hem. The figure is moulded from an orange coloured clay, then covered in a white slip layer, before being cold painted with details in black and red pigments. This elegant lady was undoubtedly of a high rank at the Tang court, which is indicated by her posture, luxurious clothing and elaborate hairstyle.