Ancient Chinese

Horse with rider in polychrome terracotta China, Han Dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE) Important Chinese funerary sculptural group made in polychromed terracotta, representing a rider mounted on a horse, belonging to the mingqi tradition — figures intended to accompany the deceased in the afterlife — characteristic of the Han Dynasty. The composition presents a horse of powerful constitution, modeled with a voluminous body, tall and slightly arched neck and expressive head inclined forward. On the saddle appears a rider with solemn bearing, dressed in a long tunic and headdress, with both hands placed in front of the body, probably originally conceived to hold reins made of perishable material. Especially notable is the conservation of numerous remains of the original polychromy, with reddish, ochre, white, black and yellow tones visible on both the horse and the human figure. These pigment remnants allow us to imagine the extraordinarily colorful appearance the sculpture would have presented originally about two thousand years ago. The importance of the horse during the Han Dynasty was exceptional. Associated with prestige, military power, mobility and social position, it became one of the most representative motifs of Chinese funerary art of this period. The figure preserves an attractive archaeological surface, with wear, deposits, abrasions and partial losses of polychromy consistent with its great age. Possible ancient restorations or consolidations are also observed, common in terracotta sculptures from this era. Measurements 45 × 39 × 14 cm approx. Material Terracotta modeled with traces of polychromy. Dating China, Han Dynasty, 206 BCE–220 CE. Conservation status General wear, losses and lifting of polychromy, abrasions, surface deposits and small flaws. Possible ancient restorations or consolidations. Condition in keeping with the archaeological nature and age of the piece. Catalogue note An attractive equestrian representation of the Han Dynasty, especially interesting for combining in a single composition horse, rider, considerable dimensions and abundant remains of polychromy, providing an evocative image of the funerary and equestrian culture of ancient China. Catawiki disclaimer: This object has been dated based on style by the seller . No further tests, such as, a TL test, C14 test, lapidary tests, analysis of pigments or radiography scans have been conducted to check the integrity of the piece.

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