Ancient Chinese

Horse with rider in polychrome terracotta China, Han Dynasty (206 BC–AD 220) Important Chinese funerary sculptural group made in polychrome terracotta, representing a rider mounted on a horse, belonging to the Mingqi tradition — figures intended to accompany the deceased in the afterlife — characteristic of the Han Dynasty. The composition features a horse of powerful constitution, modeled with a voluminous body, a high and slightly arched neck and an expressive head tilted forward. On the saddle sits a solemn rider, dressed in a long tunic and headdress, with both hands arranged in front of the body, probably originally conceived to hold reins made of perishable material. Particularly notable is the preservation of numerous traces of the original polychromy, appreciable in reddish, ochre, white, black and yellow tones on both the horse and the human figure. These pigment traces allow us to imagine the extraordinarily colorful appearance that the sculpture would have presented originally about two thousand years ago. The importance of the horse during the Han Dynasty was exceptional. Associated with prestige, military power, mobility and social position, it became one of the most representative motifs of Chinese funerary art of this period. The figure preserves an attractive archaeological surface, with wear, deposits, abrasions and partial losses of polychromy consistent with its great age. Possible ancient restorations or consolidations are also observed, common in archaeological terracotta sculptures of this era. Measurements 45 × 39 × 14 cm approx. Material Terracotta modeled with traces of polychromy. Dating China, Han Dynasty, 206 BC–AD 220. Condition General wear, losses and peeling of polychromy, abrasions, surface deposits and small missing areas. Possible ancient restorations or consolidations. Condition consistent with the archaeological nature and age of the piece. Catalogue note An attractive equestrian representation of the Han Dynasty, especially interesting for combining in a single composition horse, rider, considerable dimensions and abundant traces of polychromy, providing a evocative image of ancient China’s funerary and equestrian culture. Catawiki disclaimer: This object has been dated based on style by the seller. No further tests, such as a TL test, C14 test, lapidary tests, analysis of pigments or radiography scans have been conducted to check the integrity of the piece.

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