Tang Dynasty, 618-907 AD. A superb ceramic court horse standing on a rectangular pedestal, the head turned slightly to the left, raised tail, ears pricked, the mane dark grey in colour, with a small tuft behind the ears; expressive face with the eyes with prominent pupil, surrounded by red, the nostrils dilated; a double saddle superimposed on a padded saddle cloth, rich harnesses (xingye) in the form of apricot leaves decorate antilena and postilena trappings and the bridles of the muzzle; well-preserved colour on saddle, mane, mouth, eyes and hooves.See Prodan, M., The Art of The T'ang Potter, Thames and Hudson, 1960, for comparable examples in pls.I,VIII,XXIV and figs.26, 53, 54, 64.8.3 kg, 57cm (22 1/2"). From a West Country collection, 1990s; accompanied by a positive thermoluminescence report no.20CM110520 issued by Laboratory Kotalla; this lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate number no.10589-173310.The representations of horses and their harnesses are exceptionally detailed in the terracotta works of the Tang Dynasty. In our example, the craftsman aimed to pay homage to a purebred animal whose beauty and elegance the artist wanted to enhance. All muscles and tendons are visible, expressing the powerful musculature of the animal with an extremely proportionate body. It is indisputable that the intention was to represent a ceremonial horse belonging to a high dignitary. A video of this lot is available to view at TimeLine Auctions website.

Finely modelled.