A Chinese sancai-glazed pottery horse

Tang dynasty (618-907), naturalistically modelled standing on a rectangular base, covered with a cream glaze highlighted in amber, green and blue, 59.5cm high Provenance: Purchased by Col. and Mrs A L Gracie, who lived in Cadogan Square in London, from John Sparks Ltd. by repute, and by family descent to the present owner. The horse has always been known as 'Arkle' in the family, after the famous 20th-century racehorse. This unique example, featuring sancai splashes on cream-glazed horse body, can only be found at Sotheby's, London, 4 November 1969, lot 28. It fetched a remarkable £16,000, marking the highest hammer price achieved during that auction, and was acquired by Sparks. It is now in the collection of Asia Society Museum in New York, Estate of Blanchette Hooker Rockefeller, 1992.1. The result of Oxford Authentication Ltd. thermoluminescence test no. C100c39 is consistent with the dating of this lot. 唐 三彩马Condition Report Restoration to both ears, all legs and lower section of body. Small chips and losses of enamel in various locations. Original mane and tail missing. Fixed to a rectangular base, unable to check condition underneath. Two drilled holes from the thermoluminescence test. Request A Condition Report