The Han era witnessed one of the greatest artistic outpourings in Chinese history, easily on par with the glories of their Western contemporaries, Greece and Rome. Wealth, pouring into China from trade along the Silk Road, initiated a period of unprecedented luxury. Stunning bronze vessels were created, decorated with elegant inlaid gold and silver motifs. Jade carvings reached a new level of technical brilliance. But perhaps the artistic revival of the Han Dynasty is nowhere better represented than in their sculptures and vessels that were interred with deceased nobles. Called mingqi, literally meaning “spirit articles,” these works depicted a vast array of subjects, from warriors and horses to ovens and livestock, which were buried alongside the dead for use in the next world, reflecting the Chinese belief that the afterlife was an extension of our earthly existence.
This stunning set of two seated horses and a ‘Fang-Hu’ encapsulate many of the best qualities of Han Dynasty ceramics. The term “Fang” is a prefix used to describe a squared-off or faceted variation of a normally rounded form, in this case the Hu wine storage vessel. The extensive polychrome painting that decorates the sides and the lid of this vessel, depicting scrolls and geometric motifs, is quite rare. Seldom do more than traces of pigments survive in tact and in this example they retain much of their original brilliance. The patterns may have been inspired by contemporary embroidery and textile patterns, in tune with the fashion of the time. The beautiful Tao Tieh masks, depicting stylized dragons holding handles in their mouths, are noteworthy for their fine relief details and painted highlights. The fabulous pair of pottery seated horses also retain much of their original polychromy. The harnesses are carefully outlined in black and orange hues against their white bodies. The saddles are boldly depicted, but the most charming detail is the elaborate purple scrollwork that ripples over the figurines. The mouths of these magnificent creatures are slightly ajar and it is clear from their finery that the represent the prized possessions of a member of the elite of Han society.