Ancient Chinese

Important polychrome terracotta funerary equestrian group from Ancient China, depicting a mounted rider, attributed to the Six Dynasties / Wei dynasties period, circa 4th–5th century CE. The sculpture, 36.5 cm high, 26.5 cm wide and weighing 2.23 kilograms, features a powerfully modeled horse, posed on a rectangular base, bearing a rider dressed in a long tunic and wearing a characteristic headdress. The ensemble preserves significant traces of ancient polychromy in red, ochre, cream and gray-brown. The highly graphic treatment of the horse’s head, its large circular eyes, the deliberately stylized silhouette of the animal and the austere, hieratic bearing of the rider give this piece a particularly strong presence. This type of sculpture belongs to the Chinese Mingqi tradition – funerary objects made to accompany the deceased in the afterlife. Representations of riders gain particular importance during the centuries corresponding to the Six Dynasties and the Northern Dynasties, a period marked by the increasing role of cavalry in society and in funeral iconography. The piece is accompanied by a substantial thermoluminescence report from Labor Ralf Kotalla, Germany, dated 26 February 2001, report no. 010243. The laboratory performed four samplings directly from the object: – the base ; – the right leg ; – the horse’s chin ; – the rider’s back. The result concludes that the terracotta is “fired in antiquity” and estimates the last firing at 1,650 years ± 170 years before the date of analysis. This scientific dating places the firing of the terracotta within a range compatible with late antique China and the Six Dynasties period. The report explicitly identifies the object as a “Reiterfigur aus gebranntem Ton” – a terracotta rider figure – from China. The original photograph of the object appears on the certificate, enabling direct identification. Dimensions Height: 35.5 cm Depth: approximately 27 cm Width: 11 cm Weight: 2.232 kg Condition: Good overall condition given its age. Surface wear, losses of polychromy, deposits, small gaps, cracks and irregularities consistent with age and archaeological nature of the object. High-definition photographs are an integral part of the description and allow precise assessment of the conservation state. Authentication: Thermoluminescence report Ralf Kotalla Report no. 010243 Date: 26 February 2001 Result: fired in antiquity TL dating: 1,650 years ± 170 years Four samplings taken from different parts of the object. The original illustrated report will be handed to the purchaser with the sculpture. Provenance: China. Former European private collection. Professionally packed with particular care, suitable for an archaeological terracotta. Tracked and insured shipment during transit.

Estimate:$5,040.9

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