A PAINTED BUFF POTTERY FIGURE OF A FEMALE POLO PLAYER

TANG DYNASTY

Details

A PAINTED BUFF POTTERY FIGURE OF A FEMALE POLO PLAYER
Tang Dynasty
The horse confidently modeled galloping at full speed with outstretched legs while turning its head slightly to the left, the harness and saddle blanket painted in black pigments, the rider leaning to one side as though steering her steed to the left or preparing to strike the ball, wearing a red and green V-necked long robe, her face delicately detailed in black pigment
15in. (39cm.) long

Lot Essay

For a discussion of polo players and the illustration of a female rider on a horse, also at full gallop, see the Catalogue of the exhibition, Power and Virtue, The Horse in Chinese Art, China Insitute Gallery, New York, 11 September - 13 December, 1997, pp. 74 - 75, no. 11.

Compare, also, the three examples sold in these rooms 30 May 1991, lot 263, and a pair sold 27 November 1991, lot 305.

The result of Oxford Authentication Ltd. thermoluminescence test no. C198t72 is consistent with the dating of this lot