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LOT 2019
Large Chinese Tang Terracotta Horse and Rider
TANG DYNASTY, 618-907 A.D.
16 1/8 in. (3.65 kg, 41 cm high).
Modelled standing on a rectangular base, wearing a harness adorned with pendants and an 'animal skin' saddlecloth; the rider modelled seated in the saddle, arms held before the body, gesturing to hold reins (absent); semi-naturalistic anatomical detailing to both figures; extensive remains of polychrome pigmentation.
ProvenanceFrom a West Country, UK, collection, formed in the 1990s.
Accompanied by an original thermoluminescence analysis report no.C122f86 from Oxford Authentication.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11703-199229.
Cf. The Metropolitan Museum, accession number 54.169, for a broadly comparable figure.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
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Very Large Chinese Neolithic 'Leather Look' Amphora
3rd-2nd millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £91
With piriform body and trumpet-shaped mouth, two loop handles to the equator; hatching to the shoulder and ring of pricking below the neck. 12.6 kg, 58 cm
From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent. -
Chinese Gilt Copper Crouching Camel
Song Dynasty, 960-1279 A.D. or earlierEstimate: £2,000 - 3,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £1,000
Modelled in the round with a double hump, neck gracefully resting against the back, and legs folded beneath the body. 164 grams, 56 mm
Acquired in the 1960s. From the collection of Mr Jay Gluck (1927-2000) & Mrs Sumi Hiramoto Gluck. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.12063-214191.
Camel-shaped water droppers would have been perfect not only for dispensing water onto the inkstone, but also because the humps could form as a brush rest too. The form of our artefact showcases the rapid cultural interaction and integration between China and Central Asia during the early dynasties of China. By the Tang Dynasty, China was one of the most cosmopolitan empires on earth with traders and missionaries from across Asia, Europe and Africa in the capital Chang'an. Depictions of two-humped Bactrian camels in pottery symbolised wealth, trade and international networks. The famous calligrapher and painter Qi Gong (1912-2005) owned a similar gilt-bronze camel paperweight, who according to his records purchased it in an antique shop in Japan. Qi Gong even renamed his studio 'The Little Bronze Camel Studio' (xiao tong luo guan’). -
Chinese Song Terracotta Wall Tile
Song Dynasty, circa 960-1279 A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
Circular recess with high-relief modelled figure of Mahākāla sitting cross-legged on a lotus dais, six arms holding various symbols. 5.4 kg, 28.5 cm wide
Ex Cotswold, UK, collection, 1970-1990.
