Barakat Gallery
Skip to main content
  • Menu
  • Home
  • Artworks
  • Exhibitions
  • About
  • Contact
Menu
  • Menu

The Barakat Collection

Open a larger version of the following image in a popup: Tang Dynasty Funerary Figure of a Horse, 618 CE - 906 CE
Open a larger version of the following image in a popup: Tang Dynasty Funerary Figure of a Horse, 618 CE - 906 CE

Tang Dynasty Funerary Figure of a Horse, 618 CE - 906 CE

Ceramic, Pigment
41.9 x 40 cm
16 1/2 x 15 3/4 in
X.0406
Enquire
%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3ETang%20Dynasty%20Funerary%20Figure%20of%20a%20Horse%3C/span%3E%2C%20%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E618%20CE%20%20-%20%20906%20CE%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3ECeramic%2C%20Pigment%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E41.9%20x%2040%20cm%3Cbr/%3E%0A16%201/2%20x%2015%203/4%20in%3C/div%3E

Further images

  • (View a larger image of thumbnail 1 ) Thumbnail of additional image
  • (View a larger image of thumbnail 2 ) Thumbnail of additional image
The great influence of the horse throughout the history of China cannot be underestimated. In fact, the ancient expansion of the Chinese Empire was due in large part to the...
Read more
The great influence of the horse throughout the history of China cannot be underestimated. In fact, the ancient expansion of the Chinese Empire was due in large part to the horse. The rapid mobility of horse allowed for quick communication between far away provinces. The importance of the horse in the history and culture of China can be viewed, in part, through the artistic legacy of this great civilization. In sculpture, painting, and literature, horses were glorified and revered.
During the Tang Dynasty, the adoration of the horse can be seen through their burial art. Horse models excavated from mausoleums of the period are among the most splendid and easily recognizable works of Chinese art. This horse has an elegant red coat as well as a painted numnah, or saddle blanket. When gazing into the eyes of this delightful sculpture, we become aware of the reverence the Chinese held for this majestic creature.
The horse here depicted is of a large and spirited breed much sought after by the Chinese. Originating in the grasslands of Inner Asia, such horses were much larger than the pony native to China, hence valued for their speed and nobility.
Indeed owing a horse became a privilege in Tang China when, in 667 an edict decreed that only aristocrats (of both sexes) could ride horses. Therefore the proliferation of earthenware models for the afterlife as status symbols for the aristocratic elite would seem to have been encouraged also by such a strict limitation in life.
Close full details

Provenance

The antiquity of this artefact was tested with Thermolumiscence by Oxford Authentication LTD. The certificate is provided upon acquisition.
Share
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Tumblr
  • Email
Previous
|
Next
3536 
of  28197

London

48 Albemarle Street,

London, W1S 4JW

info@barakatgallery.eu 

 

       


 

CONTACT | TEAM | PRESS 

 

Seoul
58-4, Samcheong-ro,
Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82 02 730 1949
barakat@barakat.kr
             

 

Los Angeles

941 N La Cienega Blvd
Los Angeles CA 90069
+1 310 859 8408

contact@barakatgallery.com

  


 

 

Facebook, opens in a new tab.
Instagram, opens in a new tab.
Send an email
View on Google Maps
Manage cookies
Copyright © 2025 Barakat Gallery
Site by Artlogic


Manage cookies
Accept

Cookie preferences

Check the boxes for the cookie categories you allow our site to use

Cookie options
Required for the website to function and cannot be disabled.
Improve your experience on the website by storing choices you make about how it should function.
Allow us to collect anonymous usage data in order to improve the experience on our website.
Allow us to identify our visitors so that we can offer personalised, targeted marketing.
Save preferences
Close

Join our mailing list

Sign Up

* denotes required fields