Tang Dynasty, 618-906 AD. A model cart in beige fabric on a trapezoidal base with two large wheels, simulated grid to the front and aperture to the rear; an ox between the shafts with harness to the back and halter to the neck, with black, pink and terracotta pigment; with custom-made perspex support to wheels. 3.5 kg, 40cm (15 3/4") From an important West London collection; formerly with Parthenon Gallery, London, UK. Originally, oxcarts were used to carry goods. However, in the Han Dynasty it became the main mode of transport for carrying people. From the number of oxen an oxcart uses, one can tell which class the owner belongs to; for example the emperors of the North Wei Dynasty used oxcarts with twelve oxen.

Finely modelled, some minor restoration.