Object Description
An exceptional hollow-moulded Tang Dynasty terracotta polo player statuette, portrayed bent slightly downwards astride a horse. The female rider is sensitively painted with elongated eyes, a pointed nose, and a red dot painted onto her forehead. Her mouth is rendered in bright red pigment, whilst her cheeks are rouged as if flushed from exertion. Her hair is gathered high on her head into a double topknot. Both hands are raised in fists to grasp a polo stick which the player would have once held. 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 orange pigments. The horse is depicted standing, powerfully-posed with legs straight, and head turned to the side. Attention has been paid to the curvature of the horse’s form and the muscular anatomy. The facial features of the animal 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 brushed to one side. The black saddle is decorated with white circles, whilst black pigment outlines the harness and bridles. The original chestnut spotted pigmentation of the horse survives largely intact, and there is a hole under the horse’s belly for firing process. The statuette stands atop a pale rectangular base.
Date: Circa 618 – 907 AD
Period: Tang Dynasty