The Terracotta Army is a collection of sculptures depicting the armies of Qin Shi Huang, the first Chinese Emperor. It is a form of funeral buried with the emperor in 210–209 BCE in his mausoleum, to protect him in his afterlife.
The figures, dating from approximately the late 200s BCE, were discovered in 1974 by local farmers outside Xian, China.
Almost 20 years ago, we lived in Shanghai for a year. Not far from our apartment at Xintiandi was the flea market. Unfortunately is was closed a few years ago, and new luxury buildings are there now.
I was walking there with my Labrador almost every day. Very friendly people, even though I don’t speak Chinese.
While walking, a special element caught my eye.
A horse-drawn cart, made from heavy metal. Visiting the Terracotta Army in Xian, I knew what it was. A duplicate of the Emperor Kart.
The owners of the shop couldn’t tell me when it was made. Just that it’s very old.
I asked them to sell it to me, but they refused at the beginning, and after visiting them every day, they agree for a very high price I couldn’t afford.
After a few months, winter arrived, and the streets got empty, especially of tourists. I was almost the only visitor at the market.
Just before leaving back for Europe, I tried again to speak with them, maybe we can find some way so that I can buy this beautiful element.
The miracle happened, and they agreed. I spent all my savings and took it with me back home, approved by the authorities.
It was displayed in a honor place in our living room for a few years, then we moved to a smaller place, and this beautiful Emperor Kart moved to the storage.
With a broken heart, I decided to find a better place for it. Maybe a place where more people can admire it.
But before that, maybe you, as experts, can tell me more about this item.
How old is it? Have you seen more items like that? What is his value?
Size: 120 cm long, 40 cm high, 38 cm wide, and very heavy.
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