A GOOD GRAY POTTERY GROUP OF AN OX AND CART

Details

A GOOD GRAY POTTERY GROUP OF AN OX AND CART
NORTHERN WEI DYNASTY

Well-modeled standing foursquare with head facing forward and long tail trailing to the shaped rectangular base, the short horns and ears framed within the straps of a harness applied with large bosses, the cart with a trough-like seating area in front beneath the arched, overhanging roof, the back open and the sides with windows set between raised shutters above and a pierced ledge below, other details incised and with loops projecting from various areas of the body, the separate wheels incised to indicate the spokes, chips to roof of cart, some restoration--ox 8 1/2 in. (21.6cm.) long, cart 9 in. (22.9cm.) long, wood stand

Lot Essay

An ox and cart of similar design was excavated from the tomb of Yuan Shao, a member of the Northern Wei royal family, who died in 528, one of many nobles and officials massacred by Erzhu Rong and his army outside the capital, Luoyang. Refer to Zhongquo meishu guanji: Sculpture, vol. 3, pl. 110; and Kaogu, 1973, no. 4, pl. XII:3

The results of Oxford thermoluminescence test nos. 566p39 and 566p40 are consistent with the dating of this lot