A PAIR OF BLUE AND SANCAI-GLAZED PAINTED POTTERY FIGURES OF EQUESTRIANS

Hunting on horseback or on camelback with birds of prey that had been tamed by their owners was a common pursuit for peoples living along the Eurasian Steppes, and a vital part of their food procurement. In China, descriptions of hunting with raptors (falconry) first appeared in Chinese texts during the Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 CE), though it was certainly practiced earlier than that. By the Tang dynasty, it had become the sport of rulers and nobles, an elite activity. Proficiency in falconry and other hunting skills became advantageous for officials, attendants or even commoners seeking to gain an intimate relationship with the ruling classes. Falconry was described in literature and there were many poems describing the pastime, such as “Hawking” by the famous Tang poet Bai Juyi (772-846).

Realistically and powerfully rendered, the two equestrian figures sit astride their mounts; one is richly dressed with deep cobalt blue-glazed robes, and wearing an elaborate hat, his proper right hand supporting a falcon. The other figure likely represents his attendant who dutifully follows, dressed in vibrant green-glazed robes and thick heavy boots. A superb and very rare painted and sancai-glazed pottery figure of an equestrian hunter, formerly in the Max N. Berry collection, was sold at Christie’s New York, 27 March 2026, lot 697.

The use of blue was a considerable extravagance in Tang times, because the cobalt necessary to produce this color had to be imported from outside China's borders, and was thus extremely expensive. The lead-fluxed glazes gave brilliant colors to the whole sancai palette, but the blue was especially successful. The use of blue on these figures is, however, rare, simply because its inclusion would have greatly increased the cost of the figures.

The results of Oxford Authentication Ltd. thermoluminescence test nos. C205j18 and C205j19 are consistent with the dating of this lot.