Loading, please wait...
Details
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.
Provenance
From 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.
Literature
Cf. The Metropolitan Museum, accession number 54.169, for a broadly comparable figure.
CONDITIONVETTING:
TimeLine 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:
TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.
RELATED LOTS
-
Chinese Polished Green Stone Tool Collection
20th century A.D. or earlierSold for (Inc. bp): £91
Comprising: a gouge with rounded cutting edge, axehead with pierced butt and spearhead with recessed neck. 880 grams total, 11.2 - 19.5 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 Tang Terracotta Horse and Rider
Tang Dynasty, 618-907 A.D. or laterEstimate: £350 - 450 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £175
Modelled on a rectangular base, the horse standing with a rounded saddlecloth; the rider modelled seated in the saddle, right arm raised and left arm held before the body; right hand modelled empty to accept a bow or other weapon; some restoration. 1.54 kg, 29.5 cm
Ex North Yorkshire, UK, collection, 1990s.
Many horses, in the Tang graves, have been found with a runnel down the length of the upper neck, and a hole at the end of the spine. These cavities were surely meant to take real horsehair manes and tails, as some later porcelain figures are adorned with wisps of real human hair threaded through holes under the nose and the chin. -
Sino-Tibetan Gilt Bronze Bodhisattva Statue
20th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £572
Hollow-formed gilt-bronze figure of a bodhisattva with six arms, each holding a symbol, and three radiating faces beneath the crown; resting on a lotus-flower base; upper body festooned with swags of beads and inset with cabochon gemstones. 2.3 kg, 25 cm
Ex North West London, UK, collection, 1990-2000.