Lot Essay
The result of Oxford Authentication Ltd thermoluminescence test, no.C198t36, is consistent with the dating of this lot.
The superb modelling and large size of this animal epitomises the Han delight in horses, in particular those from the Ferghana area of Central Asia (also called tianma or heavenly horses). These powerful horses became a favourite theme in Han art across all media. Like later Tang examples, this model would have been made in sections and then luted together.
Compare similar large horses of this type, excavated from a number of tombs within the Han empire. The most well-known are those of the Han dynasty minister Zhou Bo and his son, excavated at Yangjiawan, Xianyang, Shaanxi province; see Los Angeles County Museum of Art, The Quest for Eternity, London, 1987, Catalogue, nos.11-15. A large prancing horse was excavated from a rock-face tomb at Majiashan, Xinduixian, Sichuan province, see Wenwu ziliao congkan, 1985, no.9, pl.vi-5. In addition to the well-sculpted head, flaring nostrils and upwardly-curling top lip characteristic of these Han horses, typified by the large bronze horse excavated at Hejiashan, Jinyang, Sichuan province and recorded in Wenwu, 1991, no.3, p.9, pl.iii, the current example is particularly unusual in that it is modelled with its saddle.
The superb modelling and large size of this animal epitomises the Han delight in horses, in particular those from the Ferghana area of Central Asia (also called tianma or heavenly horses). These powerful horses became a favourite theme in Han art across all media. Like later Tang examples, this model would have been made in sections and then luted together.
Compare similar large horses of this type, excavated from a number of tombs within the Han empire. The most well-known are those of the Han dynasty minister Zhou Bo and his son, excavated at Yangjiawan, Xianyang, Shaanxi province; see Los Angeles County Museum of Art, The Quest for Eternity, London, 1987, Catalogue, nos.11-15. A large prancing horse was excavated from a rock-face tomb at Majiashan, Xinduixian, Sichuan province, see Wenwu ziliao congkan, 1985, no.9, pl.vi-5. In addition to the well-sculpted head, flaring nostrils and upwardly-curling top lip characteristic of these Han horses, typified by the large bronze horse excavated at Hejiashan, Jinyang, Sichuan province and recorded in Wenwu, 1991, no.3, p.9, pl.iii, the current example is particularly unusual in that it is modelled with its saddle.