Horse China, Tang Dynasty, (618-907) Three colour... Lot 19

Horse China, Tang Dynasty, (618-907) Three colour glazed terracotta (sancai). H. 50 cm Traditionally represented standing and saddled on a rectangular base. The mane and tail were originally represented as real horsehair fixed in the cavities made for this purpose. Note the uncommon green runs on this type of object. These representations of Ferghana horses, mainly used to play polo, symbolized the wealth and power of the members of the aristocracy of the Tang dynasty whom they accompanied to the afterlife. Some visible restorations. Provenance: Compagnie de la Chine et des Indes (Paris) (Inv.2529 Acquired in Beijing in 1937)