Tang Dynasty, 618-906 AD. A mixed group of five hollow-formed ceramic figures modelled as robed musicians and dancers, standing on integral bases; each musician plays a different wind or string instrument, while the dancers adopt mirroring poses; blue, black, red and green painted pigment survives. See Michaelson, C., Gilded Dragons. Buried Treasures from China's Golden Ages, British Museum Press, 1999, for discussion and comparable Tang ceramic figures. 3.8 kg total, 22-24.5cm (8 3/4 - 9 3/4"). From a London, UK, collection; formerly in a West Country collection, Bath, UK, 1970s-1990s; accompanied by a copy of a positive thermoluminescence report issued by Oxford Authentication, no.C115a71, for one of the figures; this lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate number no.10171-166778. [5] [a video of this item will be available on Timeline Auctions website.]