East Asia, China, Ming Dynasty, ca. 1368 to 1644 CE. A fine pair of mold-formed pottery horses standing atop integral rectangular plinths, each surmounted by a finely clothed rider. Each equine creature is painted in black hues and presents with a horned bridle, a white mane that curls in front of each ear and sweeps down the neck, a sizable saddle, a breast collar adorned with a conical ornament, and hip straps studded with petite white beads. Each rider figure dons a lengthy orange robe with green fringe and white buttons, billowing sleeves, and a wide-brimmed hat above the stark-white visage. Either the right or left arm is held aloft while the opposite hand is open and lowered, perhaps to support a tall standard being held aloft as a royal procession is led through the streets. Hues of red, golden yellow, gray, and white adorn areas of the horses and riders and create a colorful presentation evocative of Ming Dynasty artistry. Size of each (both are relatively similar): 10.625" L x 4.375" W x 15.2" H (27 cm x 11.1 cm x 38.6 cm)

These pieces have been tested using thermoluminescence (TL) analysis and have been found to be ancient and of the period stated. A full printed and bound report is available to the buyer upon request.

Provenance: ex-Nancy and Dr. E.F. Simpson collection, Los Angeles, California, USA, acquired from 1970 to 2000

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#172489

Both figures repaired with restoration, with resurfacing, overpainting, and earthen material along new material and break lines. Loss to tip of hat of figure with right arm raised. Loss to held implement of both figures. Both figures have softening to finer details, chipping and fading to original pigment, and encrustations. Figure with right arm raised has a TL drill hole beneath the horse's muzzle, and figure with left arm raised has TL drill holes beneath the base and behind his head.