Chinese Tang Dynasty Terracotta Recumbent Ram Figure

East Asia, China, Tang Dynasty, ca. 618 to 907 CE. A delightful hollow mold-made pottery ram in a recumbent position with his legs tucked into his sides. The sheep is alert, with his head raised forward and curling horns visible on both sides. The surface of the head retains much of the original white pigment - the natural color choice for a wooly sheep, but also a symbol of purity in Chinese culture. Scattered areas of the original buffware surface are exposed where this pigment has worn away and creates a pleasing contrast of hues. This ram alongside dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of other sheep or farm animals, would have been created to accompany and feed the deceased in the afterlife. Size: 5.5" L x 1.75" W x 3.5" H (14 cm x 4.4 cm x 8.9 cm)

Provenance: private Houston, Texas, USA collection, purchased from dealers, beginning in the late 1980s to as recently as 2017

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#162920
Condition Report: Softening of details. Chips, nicks and abrasions to high pointed areas. Nice mineral and earthen encrustations.