Large Chinese Han Dynasty Pottery Horse Torso w/ TL

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Exceptional Antiquities, Asian, Ethnographic

By Artemis Gallery

Feb 18, 2021

Set Reminder 2021-02-18 10:00:00 2021-02-18 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Exceptional Antiquities, Asian, Ethnographic https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/exceptional-antiquities-asian-ethnographic-6373
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• Lot Description
  East Asia, China, Han Dynasty, ca. 206 BCE to 220 CE. A magnificent and sizable pottery horse head and torso formed from grey clay. Featuring a thick body with a central recessed spine, this lovely statue boasts a lively visage with bulging eyes, raised ears, a pronounced snout with flared nostrils, and an open mouth revealing his teeth and likely neighing. Presenting a neatly manicured mane, the ancient animal's neck is beautifully painted with lovely horizontal stripes of light blue on a cream ground. A light pink harness adorns his face. During the Han dynasty, the ancients placed such model figures in tombs to ensure a safe journey to the afterlife. Size: 21.5" L x 8.75" W x 18" H (54.6 cm x 22.2 cm x 45.7 cm)
  
  During this period of Chinese history, horses came from the Ferghama Valley in Central Asia - present day Afghanistan. When elite individuals passed away, "walking" terracotta Ferghama horses displaying an immense degree of attention to detail, like this example, were created to carry the deceased into the hereafter. The horse, second only in importance to the dragon, was believed to possess magical powers. The number of horses owned by an individual ensured his high status in the afterlife.
  
  Funerary sculptures like this piece are part of a class of artifacts called mingqi - sometimes known as "spirit utensils" or "vessels for ghosts". They became popular in the Han Dynasty and would persist for several centuries. Alongside figures like this one were musicians, athletes, animals, structures, and more. Even though they were mass produced, mingqi of the Han Dynasty often show a high level of detail and naturalism. These were designed to assist the po, the part of the soul of the deceased that remained underground with the body while the hun, the other part of the soul, ascended. According to scholars, caring for the po took on a new level of meaning in the Han period, with more elaborate rituals and tomb construction arising.
  
  This piece has been tested using thermoluminescence (TL) analysis and has been found to be ancient and of the period stated. A full report will accompany purchase.
  
  Provenance: private Los Angeles, California, USA collection, 1980s to 2000s
  
  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.
  
  We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
  
  #162233

  Condition

  Missing legs. Head is removable. Repaired from several pieces with restoration over break lines. Expected surface wear with light abrasions and some nicks/chips, all commensurate with age. Otherwise, very nice with impressive remaining pigments and lovely earthen deposits throughout.
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