PAIR OF LARGE CHINESE TANG DYNASTY POTTERY OXEN - TL TESTED

Ca. 618-907 AD. An elegant pair of terracotta statues, each depicting an oxen lying down, with its tail flicked over its haunches and one foreleg extended as though about to rise. The animals are carefully modelled with a curving horns, delicate ears with pink pigment, and an exquisitely detailed muzzle. Oxen are the second animal in the zodiac and are known for diligence, dependability, strength and determination. Oxen also served important roles in chinese agriculture, trade, and infrastructure and were considered a symbol of high status and wealth. For a similar see Bonhams, 30 Oct 2017, Lot 98. This piece has been precisely dated by means of a Thermo Luminescence analysis carried out by Ralf Kotalla, an independent German Laboratory. The samples collected date the piece to the period reflected in its style, whilst also showing no modern trace elements. The TL certificate with its full report will accompany this lot. Size: L:300mm / W:470mm ; 6.3kg Provenance: East Anglian private collection; formerly acquired in the early 1990s in Hong Kong.