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The Incredible Terra Cotta Warriors

 

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BIGSTAR INTERNATIONAL

Garden & Home

Tel: (00)86-(0)29-88193890

Fax: (00)86-(0)29-86290916

E-mail: bigstar@pub.xaonline.com

http://www.artfrombigstar.com/tw.htm

 

 

 

An Introduction to The Terra Cotta Warriors

 

In 1974, villagers digging for a well near Xi'an in central China accidentally discovered one of the world's most astonishing archaeological sites. Buried beneath their feet was an army of over 8,000 life-size warriors and cavalry in full battle formation. The figures were made of terra cotta and were once painted in life-like colors and carried actual weapons. This was the discovery of the funerary army of China’s first great emperor, Qin Shi Huang, buried over 2,200 years ago.

 

Qin Shi Huang was the Chinese emperor who founded the Qin dynasty  in 221 B.C. He united all of the smaller kingdoms in what is now known as China into a single empire. His name means “First Emperor” and the word China itself is derived from the name of his dynasty.

Qin Shi Huang was an all powerful tyrant. Using the limitless labor of his subjects he consolidated many smaller walls into the Great Wall of China. He used that same limitless labor to prepare his burial site and the Terra Cotta Army.

 

The terra cotta warriors are remarkably realistic sculptures. Most figures are about six feet tall. Each head was individually sculpted to reflect the personality of the soldier. Originally the figures were painted in bright colors but most of the paint has been lost and the warriors appear a light brown over a black fired finish. This is the color that we know them by today.

 

A small collection of the original warriors has toured the major cities of the world. A number of television shows and magazine articles have featured the warriors. The most notable of these were by the National Geographic Society.

 

Now following pages will emphatically introduce two typical Warriors of the collection. Our beautiful reproduction Terracotta Warriors will always exude mystic cultural ambience of ancient China, and also will make a special style additions with classicality and stateliness to your garden or interior setting.

 

 

Two Types of most Popular Statues

 

The General

(W-001)

 

(Shown in Black and in Terracotta)

 

The General is one of the most famous figures of the collection. After 2,200 years he still exudes a commanding presence at over six feet five inches tall. He gazes forward with an expression of stern authority. His hand-sculpted head is thought to be an accurate representation of the man himself.

 

His hands overlap with palms facing down as if resting on the hilt of his sword with the point on the ground. His armor consists of  two layers of robes covered by linked plate armor.

 

The general was found in Excavation Pit #1 at the head of a column of 6,000 soldiers and chariots.

 

Available Sizes:

 

Specification                      Actual Height       

185cm (Original Size)        195cm (6 Feet, 5 Inches)           

150cm                                      160cm (5 Feet, 2 Inches)           

100cm                                       105cm (3 Feet, 4 Inches)           

70cm                              　　   82cm (2 Feet, 6 Inches)           

55cm                              　　   55cm (1 Foot, 9 Inches)           

45cm                              　　   45cm (1 Foot, 5 Inches)           

35cm                             　　    35cm (13 Inches)                    

25cm                             　　    25cm (10 Inches)                    

 

 Click Here for high quality picture

 

 

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Kneeling Archer

(W-006)

 

(Shown in Black and in Terracotta)

 

The archer kneels on his right knee with his hands positioned to hold his weapon. He would have held not a long bow but the more formidable crossbow.

 

Archers wore a tunic of tightly linked armor plates with free hanging shoulder guards for ease of movement while using his bow. His hair is bound in the characteristic top knot of his cadre.

 

The kneeling archer is typical of the 160 archers found in Excavation Pit #2.

 

Available Sizes:

 

Specification                      Actual Height       

185cm (Original Size)        128cm (4 Feet, 2 Inches)           

150cm                                         95cm (3 Feet, 1 Inches)           

100cm                                         74cm (2 Feet, 4 Inches)           

70cm                        　　　        56cm (1 Foot, 8 Inches)           

55cm                       　　　          42cm (1 Foot, 4 Inches)           

45cm                          　　　       35cm (1 Foot, 1 Inches)           

35cm                        　　　         26cm (10 Inches)                    

25cm                   　　　              18cm (7 Inches)                      

 

 

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The Color of  Terracotta Warriors:

 

We develop new Terracotta color that is waterproof and very beautiful for outdoor use.

 

Black colour is painted by a special black paint, which will never be washed off by rain and could keep very long time in different climates. It looks more elegant and stateliness, like a composed warrior reviving in front of your eyes. This style can be used for outdoor and indoor

Terracotta color is made by laying on a layer of special coating on the warriors, which looks more straightforward and unadorned like just being dug out from earth. This style will bring a exact feeling of reality. This style can be used for outdoor and indoor

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Question: How are the warriors made?

 

Answer: Formed from the same mixture of clays from the Shaanxi Province, each Warriors is hand crafted, in the same manner as the original warriors found in the Imperial Tomb. First, this clay mixture is carefully worked into hand carved molds. Next, once removed from the mold, the statue is carefully finished to remove excess clay and to inscribe the fine details. The statues are then allowed to "set" before being placed into the kilns for firing. The coal-fired kilns are much like the ones originally used 2000 years ago. In a process that takes from four to five days the kilns are brought up to a temperature of 1,300 degrees and then allowed to cool slowly. After carefully removing the statues from the kiln, each piece is cleaned and finished with a special wash, to replicate the look of the original warriors.

 

Question: Can I set my soldiers outside?

 

Answer: Many of the large size Warriors are set outside, however there are things to consider. The biggest being your climate. We have had some statues outside for almost 4 years. It has weathered some, which I believe adds character and a look of authenticity (view). Its structural integrity is fine; If you live in a climate that receives driving rain storms, or sleet and snow, we recommend that you set your statue outside but with some kind of roof over it. Especially in Winter, you have to clean the water even snow on the warriors in time for avoiding it was cracked in the process of thawing and freezing. This could be as simple as under the eve of your house. We have sold many statues to many countries that have kinds of climate for outside use and have never had a complaint. Another thing to keep in mind is that the terra cotta colour statue’s coating will wash off in the rain. If you intend to put your warrior outside we recommend ordering a black warrior.

 

Question: How do I clean my warriors?

 

Answer: Light dusting is ok, however they should not be washed with soap or water.

 

 

 

Other best selling Warriors

 

 

 

NOTE:

The pictures in this catalogue are all taken ourselves for ORIGINAL LIFE SIZE warriors.

 

 

 

The features of small size

terracotta warriors figurines

 

Example: 35cm height General ( W-001-35 shown in black and terracotta)

 

[ Front view ]

 

[ side view ]

 

 

[ front view in terracotta ]

 

 

The feature of small set of figurine

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　[ Height = 20cm ]

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