During the T'ang dynasty, China enjoyed a period of consolidation, achievement, and confidence. T'ang art tends to reflect this assurance in its realism, energy, and dignity. Pottery of this era...
During the T'ang dynasty, China enjoyed a period of consolidation, achievement, and confidence. T'ang art tends to reflect this assurance in its realism, energy, and dignity. Pottery of this era is often compared to that of Classical Greece for the sophisticated achievements in sculpting and modeling. This sculpture resembles a portrait of an individual horse with its lifelike modeling and expressive facial features. Strong, noble, and splendid, this brightly painted terracotta horse conveys the love and admiration that T'ang society felt toward its steeds. As horses were often symbols of the afterlife, this funerary statue seems to be ready to bear his owner into the afterlife on his red saddle and numnah decorated with black stripes, a pattern reminiscent of the hide of a zebra. This horse also features a slightly open mouth, gums highlighted with red paint; a characteristic highly sought after by collectors. Horses held particular significance with T'ang rulers and aristocrats, who relied on them for military preparedness and diplomatic policy. In addition, they were also revered for their religious significance: ancient tradition linked them to the dragon, designating them as supernatural creatures. Clearly, this horse was a beloved creature buried alongside the deceased to accompany him throughout eternity. Wearing harnesses painted in black, the horse is ready to gallop across the eternal fields of the afterlife, carrying the spirit of the deceased upon its back.