Ca. 1368-1644 AD or later .A beautifully crafted ochre-coloured glazed terracotta ceramic figure of a ram. The ramÂ’s wool is detailed by a series of elliptical impressions meant to imitate the curls in natural wool, whilst the horns are gently spiralled and painted green. The facial features including the eyes, nostrils and mouth are carefully molded. The cloven hooves are similarly detailed and coloured with black pigment. The sheep or ram is the eighth of the twelve animals in a zodiac cycle and is regarded as an auspicious animal which is peace-loving, kind, helpful, and trusting, but of a nature resistant to change. Ceramic figures such as this item were important to a variety of cultures with afterlife beliefs which involved trials, travels, or an afterlife similar to that which was lived on earth. These animals, which are included as funerary offerings reflect the belief that assistance, luck and companionship would be helpful in overcoming the difficult environs of the afterlife. Size: L:115mm / W:135mm ; 370g Provenance: UK private collection of Asian Art; formerly acquired in the early 1990s in Hong Kong.