Sancai Glazed Pottery Horse and Female Rider

Tang Dynasty (618-906)
 

Height: 16.5 inches (41.9 cm)

The horse stands foursquare on a rectangular plinth with his head turned to the left. A female rider, dressed in a full, green-glazed high-waisted skirt and loosely draped brown scarf straddles the animal, which is covered in a rich amber glaze, reaching down to just above the buff-colored hooves. Her right hand, covered by the long sleeve, lightly holds the side of the saddle while her left hand rests on her left leg.

Although her head, which is turned to the right, remains unglazed, her features are picked out with red and black pigments. Her hair, which also retains some black paint, is gathered beneath a hair ornament. A thin translucent glaze covers the muzzle, mane, and tail of the horse, as well as the lady’s sleeves. A dark green saddle lies on a chestnut-glazed saddle blanket. Traces of red pigment are still visible on the horse’s lips and flaring nostrils.

Provenance

• Private Canadian Collection Michael B. Weisbrod, Inc., at the Carlyle Cincinnati Museum of Art (by exchange 1988-9)

Published & Exhibited: