TANG DYNASTY

Details

A rare painted red pottery zodiac figure
Tang Dynasty
Modelled as a figure with an ox' head with a human smiling expression, the small ears set behind the horns, standing on a rectangular base following the shape of the flowing robe, the hands concealed against the chest under the full sleeves, traces of red and black pigment over white slip
44 cm. high

Special notice

Christie's charge a buyer's premium of 20% (VAT inclusive) for this lot.

Lot Essay

The ox, niu, is one out of a series of twelve zodiac animals of the calendrical year. In the 20th Century it corresponds to the years 1901, 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985 and 1997. For similar example see Xina, Mil Anys d'Art I de Cultura, Barcelona, 23 April-24 June 1991, Catalogue, p. 232-233, pl. 65.
The dating of this lot is consistent with the result of the Oxford thermoluminescence test no. C100h60.

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