Ca. 550-577 AD. Northern Qi Dynasty. A male terracotta figure depicting a soldier with the sleeves of his cream-coloured and red garments covering his joined hands and a domed hat with flaps covering most of his head. His facial features consist of slightly arched eyebrows, narrow eyes rimmed with black pigment, and a pointed nose. His small mouth is painted with red pigment. This figure is clad in the military uniform of the Xianbei people and other northern tribes from the Gobi desert area, with a covered "wind hat", trousers, short upper tunic and a cape tied around the neck, the outfit was designed to protect against the wind and dust. Size: L:235mm / W:65mm ; 685g. Provenance: From the private collection of a Somerset gentleman; previously in an old British collection, formed in the 1980s on the UK /European art markets.