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Armored Infantryman
Qin dynasty (221–206 BCE)
Not on view
The main battalion of the First Emperor’s terracotta army comprised infantrymen like this one, aligned in rows of four. He wears body and shoulder armor over a long tunic. Judging from his gesture, he once held a weapon, possibly a halberd or spear.
The terracotta warriors were all products of mass production. Parts such as the head, arms, and torso were molded separately as modules and then assembled. Before firing, however, clay was applied to their surfaces to allow for individualization and refinement. Most figures were fired as a single piece, suggesting the use of large-chambered kilns.
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