Featured Chinese terracotta camel and rider

Hello, obtained this clay figurine for a very fair price. It is more likely a replica but would like to know what you think. It passed the water test as an old one. Thank you!

 

OK , I'll bite...... What's the water test ???

 

Antique unglazed terracotta absorbs water more easily than new unglazed terracotta. And you can smell it, but in this case you smell the dirt on the surface.
It is not 100% definitive, other factors should also be taken into account, and if possible, other tests.
I think the hole in the belly indicates that it was tested before. It is the spot where they often take a piece out to be tested. Of course we would like to know the results of the test.

 

It is beautiful, Moni, a very well made and attractive piece, and it seems to have age. The question is, how much age.
Does the dirt wipe off? Does the clay (where you can find it) feel soft and smooth?

 

The hole looks awfully even and smooth to be a test site. I don't know enough about pottery to be useful, but I've never seen a piece with a neatly cut circle like that.

 

That’s interesting information. Thank you

 

Thank you for your replies!
After reading around I found that the hole at the bottom is made to protect the object from cracking or bursting during the clay firing process. It feels soft on touch (not like new flower pot) and the dirt is not going out easily. I tried to remove some but it goes with the paint under it. The figurine is big - 53cm tall.
This is a video of my "water test" of the rider . The clay absorbed the water very fast:

 

Not a good sign, it should come off easily. Fakers often glue dirt onto the surface.
On the other hand, it looks good, and the clay feels soft and absorbs water.
I think it is best to take it to an expert who can judge it hands on.

 

Thank you Any.
When saying that the dirt is difficult to remove, I was talking about removing it by hand. When I tried to remove some tiny bits with a harder brush, it went out with the paint.

 

My apologies, I should been more clear. By "wipe off" I meant that it should come of by gently wiping it with your hand.
Never brush a delicate material like this, and certainly not with a hard brush.
The dirt doesn't need to come off. It is just one of the tests to see if it is a genuine piece. If (some of) it comes off in your hand by gently wiping it, it is likely to be real. The rest of the dirt can stay on.
I hope brushing it didn't do too much damage.

 

I was just testing the dirt on a very, very small area under the belly of the camel.
It looks that without a TL test I will not be able to find more about the age, but as I am not going to sell it, it can wait.
Anyway, I paid so little money for it, that even if it is a replica, I am fine.

 

It is beautiful, and it could very well be genuine.