Standing Archer from the Terracotta Army in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, July 2017

Standing Archer

China


Object Details

秦 陶立射武士俑

Title: Standing Archer

Period: Qin dynasty (221–206 B.C.)

Culture: China

Medium: Earthenware

Dimensions: H. 70 in. (177.8 cm); W. 29 in. (73.7 cm); D. 16 in (40.6 cm); Wt. 440.9 lb.(200 kg)

Classification: Sculpture

Credit Line: Lent by Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum


Gazing straight ahead, the archer positions his hands as though holding a loaded crossbow, ready to shoot. In the burial pit, standing archers were often placed around their kneeling counterparts, suggesting that they would shoot in turn. All the terracotta warriors were once equipped with real bronze weapons, some of which may have been used in battle by living soldiers. About 40,000 bronze weapons and arrowheads were unearthed from the pit where this soldier was found.

Text from: www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/640799