Chinese Standing Horse
Tang Dynasty, 618-907 AD. A ceramic figure modelled in the round as a standing horse, the head held to one side, mouth open in a whinnying gesture, stocky neck, detailing to bridle, short mane, saddle, saddle cloth and hooves; hollow-formed. See The Metropolitan Museum, accession numbers 21.175.37 and 1991.253.12, for similar. 1.6 kg, 29cm (11 1/2"). Property of a Surrey, UK, gentleman; from collections formed since before 1970. Horses, like most of the terracotta figures produced during the Imperial Tang period, were part of the funerary kit. The elite of the Tang Empire had their graves filled with pottery figures, destined to serve them in the afterlife. As noted by the Tang specialist Camille de Foresta 'Noble and imperial members of society would have clay models made of all the attendants they needed to make their soul comfortable in the spirit world, such as soldiers, musicians, courtesans, slaves, wine merchants and even polo players...These objects are known as mingqi, meaning ‘vessels for ghosts.' [No Reserve]
Condition Report: Fair condition, legs repaired.
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Tang Dynasty, 618-907 AD. A ceramic figure modelled in the round as a standing horse, the head held to one side, mouth open in a whinnying gesture, stocky neck, detailing to bridle, short mane, saddle, saddle cloth and hooves; hollow-formed. See The Metropolitan Museum, accession numbers 21.175.37 and 1991.253.12, for similar. 1.6 kg, 29cm (11 1/2"). Property of a Surrey, UK, gentleman; from collections formed since before 1970. Horses, like most of the terracotta figures produced during the Imperial Tang period, were part of the funerary kit. The elite of the Tang Empire had their graves filled with pottery figures, destined to serve them in the afterlife. As noted by the Tang specialist Camille de Foresta 'Noble and imperial members of society would have clay models made of all the attendants they needed to make their soul comfortable in the spirit world, such as soldiers, musicians, courtesans, slaves, wine merchants and even polo players...These objects are known as mingqi, meaning ‘vessels for ghosts.' [No Reserve]
Condition Report: Fair condition, legs repaired.
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