Object Description
An exceptional hollow-moulded Tang Dynasty terracotta female rider statuette, portrayed astride a horse. The female is carefully painted with elongated eyes, a pointed nose, and a crisply carved mouth in bright red pigment, whilst her cheeks are rouged as if flushed from exertion. Her hair is gathered into a double top knot drawn-up high. Both arms are bent at the elbows, slightly reaching forward. Her garment features a tunic with a v-shaped opening and lappets, trousers, and boots. The clothing is enriched with the original white, blue and pale red pigment. The horse is depicted standing, powerfully-posed with legs straight, and head turned to the side. Attention has been made to the curvature of the horse’s form and the muscular anatomy. The facial features have been modelled in a naturalistic manner, featuring pricked ears, an open mouth and prominent eyes, enhanced by additional red and black pigment. The tail is shown docked and bound, and the mane is cropped. The grey saddle is decorated with pale red swirls, and outlined in red pigment. Black pigment outlines the harness and bridles. The original pink pigmentation of the horse survives largely intact, and there is a hole under the horse’s belly for firing process. The statuette sides atop an orange rectangular base.
This piece is accompanied by a thermoluminescence analysis report no. 05C26042024 from Kotalla Laboratory.
Date: Circa 618 – 907 AD
Period: Tang Dynasty