Horse

Title
Horse
Year/Period
Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 CE)
Region
China
Material
Technique
Dimension
Object size: H31.0 x L37.0 x W14.0 cm
Accession No.
C-1491
Credit Line
Purchased with funds from The Shaw Foundation

This sturdy-looking figure of a horse is covered in iridescent green glaze. It has an incised blanket over a solid cylindrical body and moulded bridle details. The horse's open mouth suggests the horse is neighing.This grey pottery figure would have been a funerary item that belonged to a group of 'mingqi' or burial ware found in the tombs of the ruling elite to provide for their afterlife. The custom of making ‘mingqi’ or burial wares was an ancient practice. Elaborate groups of burial wares were also a display of wealth and social status.