LOT 0422

Chinese Tang Horse with Female Rider

TANG DYNASTY, 618-907 A.D.

17 3/4 in. (5.1 kg, 45 cm high).

A ceramic horse and female rider figure, modelled in the round on a rhomboidal base; the horse portrayed with semi-naturalistic anatomical detailing, medium-length mane, short tail dressed with a ribbon, its head angled slightly downwards and ears pricked forwards; the female rider modelled seated in a saddle, wearing a knee-length robe and boots, arms held in front of her body, hands held in a gripping position to accept reins (absent), her hair dressed in a top knot, stylised facial features; extensive remains of polychrome pigmentation.

Acquired in the 1990s.
From a North Yorkshire private collection, UK.

Accompanied by an original thermoluminescence analysis report no.C122h21 from Oxford Authentication.

Cf. Zhang, B., 'On the Change of the Female Status in the Tang Dynasty from the Horse-riding Tomb Figurine' in Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research (ASSEHR), volume 3002018 International Workshop on Education Reform and Social Sciences, 2018, 2019, pp.589-594, fig.1 no.3.

In Tang art, poetry and painting the horse was exalted. The delight taken in portraying horses became an end in itself. Women were made to mount them, according to the Tang conception, so that the two can be considered together, introducing in China a fashion from Kotan.