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: 3 Piece Set of Early Tang Painted Pottery Horses with Detachable Lady Riders, 618 CE - 907 CE

3 Piece Set of Early Tang Painted Pottery Horses with Detachable Lady Riders, 618 CE - 907 CE

Terracotta
DL.2095
Enquire
%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3E3%20Piece%20Set%20of%20Early%20Tang%20Painted%20Pottery%20Horses%20with%20Detachable%20Lady%20Riders%3C/span%3E%2C%20%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E618%20CE%20%20-%20%20907%20CE%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3ETerracotta%3C/div%3E
The important influence of the horse throughout the history of China cannot be over-estimated. In fact, the ancient expansion of the Chinese Empire was due in a large part to...
Read more
The important influence of the horse throughout the history of China cannot be over-estimated. In fact, the ancient expansion of the Chinese Empire was due in a large part to the horse. The rapid mobility of horses allowed for enhanced communication between distant provinces. Likewise, the military role of horses facilitated the conquest and submission of other lands as well as securing the borders against barbarian invaders. The need to import stronger, faster steeds from Central Asia (as opposed to the local Mongol pony) contributed to the creation of trading routes along what became known as the Silk Road. The significance 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 are frequently glorified and revered as distant relatives of sacred, mythological dragons.
During the Tang dynasty the adoration of the horse is evident in their burial art. Horse models excavated from mausoleums of the period are among the most celebrated and splendid works of Chinese art. Naturally, owing to their rarity, horses became a status symbol for the aristocratic elite. Polo and other equestrian pastimes became popular. These sculptures depicting three ladies-in-waiting on horseback are remarkable for several reasons. Firstly, in each case, the lady and saddle detach from the body of the horse in one piece. Small traces of the original polychromy remain, most visibly on the ladies’ red lips. They each wear a long sleeved dress, a type of which was used in a popular dance where the excess of fabric was swirled around in the air. Unusually, each horse is depicted with its head raised, ears upright, and nostrils flaring. They intimidate us with their open mouths and visible teeth. Remarkably, the women seem unaffected by whatever has startled their steeds and they retain their dignified pose.
Close full details
Share
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Tumblr
  • Email
Previous
|
Next
3397 
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