China - "heavenly" Horse With Its Rider - Han Dynasty - Tl

Extremely rare rider and his mount in red terracotta with engobe. The rider riding the horse wears a tunic decorated with mesh with green remnants. The saddle on which he sits is an integral part of the figure. The horse is white and moves at a walk, its tail stretched out and its mouth open imitating a neigh. The mane is stylized by notches connected in the earth. Very well balanced proportions of the horse. The representation of this equine is reminiscent of "celestial horses"! They were called this because at the time, it was thought that they carried souls to heaven after death, they were reputed to "sweat blood" after a gallop at full speed linked according to some to their spotted coat. A thermoluminescence test carried out in the laboratory on the rider and the horse, certifies the date of the last firing of the object This figurine resembles the famous large ceramic dancing horses that some excavations typically locate in Sichuan and of which many examples were sold at auction recently at Christie's New York, and at Bonhams New York. Much smaller examples like this lot are much rarer. Origin: China Period: Han Dynasty (206 BC - 220). Dimensions: Height: 29.5 cm; Length: 28 cm. Provenance: European private collection, purchased on January 30, 1997 from LHW Hong Kong