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China, Han Dynasty, ca. 206 BCE to 220 CE. Massive and amazing terracotta horse that is very reminiscent of the pottery tomb figures so famous from this era. Heavy molded horse with stoic stance, muscular body, alert ears and long curled tail. Incredibly this was once entirely covered in that deep green glaze, remains found allover but especially on the horse's haunches. That green glaze has now transformed into a rainbow of iridescence. Size: 42" L x 43" W (106.7 cm x 109.2 cm); 51" H (129.5 cm) on included custom stand.

The Han Dynasty was a period of wealth and stability for China, and the burial places of their rulers reflected this prosperity; they held hundreds and sometimes thousands of miniature terracotta figures who reflected the daily life of the Emperor's court, including warriors clad in full armor, servants, eunuchs, animals, and models of important buildings like granaries. The creation of all these pottery figures spawned a huge industry and the remains of workshops have been found near some of the burial mounds. Even though they were produced en masse, mingqi often exhibit a high level of detail and naturalism, as seen here.

This horse has been tested using Thermoluminesce (TL) methodology in 3 different locations and results show an estimated age of 2000 years. Report will accompany this piece.

Provenance: private Constance McCormick Fearing estate, Montecito, California, USA, acquired before 2004. Ms. Fearing was from the McCormick Harvester International family and owned an amazing 18 acre estate in Montecito, California.

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#180976

Repairs to legs as is almost always the case, surface wear and loss to original green pigment, but a magnificent example! On side of horse a smallish swastika has been carved, but based on deposits on and around this area we believe this to be from antiquity and meant as a sign of good luck or well wishes - a practice common throughout the ancient world.