A terracotta unglazed standing horse

Tang dynasty, 618-907 AD, China

Height: 42cm, 16.5 inches

Standing fore square and not placed on a base, the horse is modelled in great detail revealing the subtle musculature, powerful neck, and elegant proportions. The saddle is now missing and that area retains the original grey terracotta colour, where as the remainder of the horse in painted in a red pigment with cream overlay.

The head is powerfully modelled with ears pricked up, intense rather bulging eyes, flaring nostrils and partly closed mouth revealing teeth and thus a rather fierce expression.