Shoe Sole (Detail)

Pit 2, Lishan Necropolis, Xi'an

The sole of the archer seen on the previous page discloses an extraordinary attention to detail, even modeling the studs that prevented the shoe from slipping. The mold for this was undoubtedly made by slapping a real sole into the wet surface of the clay. Also noticable is the paint (restored) on the armor. Originally, all these figures were painted in bright colors and lacquered. When exposed to air after 2200 years underground, the lacquer immediately dries out and flakes off, taking the paint with it.