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CHINESE TERRACOTTA WARRIORS

Thousand of life-sized terracotta soldiers and horses were created to accompany the Emperor in his after-life.  

Throughout China's  history,  its borders have changed dramatically.  The land that makes up modern day China was actually several different kingdoms during most periods. In the 3rd century BC, China was five independent and warring states.  This period is referred to as the Warring States period.  Each of these States were ruled by a King.   

In 247 BC, King Zhuang xiang of Qin, father of the the future first emperor Ying Zheng died after a short three years reign.  Ying Zheng aged thirteen years, ascended to the throne of the state of Qin.   The Queen mother and the principal ministers such as Chancellor Lu Buwei managed the affairs of the States until he was 22. From that time on, he took over the reign of the government. In the years that followed, King Ying Zheng defeated one by one the other States and started the unification of China.  It is at this time that he assumed the title 'Shi Huang' or first Emperor.  In 222 BC, the last State fell and Emperor Qin Shi Huang united the country for the first time.  Emperor Qin was the first emperor to unite what is considered  China today.

In 1974, a farmer digging a well, uncovered what is now referred to as the Eighth Wonder of the World.    These life-sized sculptures indicate a mastery of pottery making in the age of Emperor Qin.  The sculptors were potters  from various part of China.  The quality of the sculpting indicates a high level of knowledge of techniques and firing process.  Many terracotta soldiers bear the mark of its master craftsman.     Archaeologists have have not yet excavated all of the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang. It is covered by a huge mound of earth.   Based on written histories, of what lies within, the actual tomb spread over an area the size of a small city and contains an entire replica of his domain.   It is believed to be filled with rare gems and other treasures. The ceiling is inlaid with pearls to simulate the sun, stars and the moon.  A royal tomb is made of cast bronze and holds a reconstruction of the celestial kingdom of China.  Rivers and ocean are represented by mercury and jewels to represent the stars and planet in the sky above.

Each one of the soldiers is unique.  No two facial expressions are the same.  All of the soldiers are life-sized  about 1.8 meters tall and wear helmets and armor. They also would have carried at one time battle weapons like swords, lances, crossbows, javelins and bows and arrows but many of these weapons have been looted during the peasant revolt following the death of Emperor Qin.  Horses of actual size are also contained in the vault 

A collection of generals, officers, archers, soldiers and horses have been recreated. The same techniques as the original were used.  .The various part of the body were created separately and then assembled.  The parts were fired at around 1500 degree Celsius.  The body, legs and feet were first hand shaped, then sculpted.  The Gowns and armors were sculpted and detailed over the hand-shaped torsos. The rough form of the heads were later cast in a mold.  The hair and buns were added from the clay on the cast, followed by the ears and the neck.  The eyes, nose, mouth and hair strands were carved.

The horses were made in the same way.  First, the various part of the body were made, then sealed together to form the rough outline.  More  clay was then applied to the surface and then  the fine detail was carved.