Ancient Chinese, Han dynasty Terracotta Huge Horse. With old TL Test and invoice - 153 cm

03
days
21
hours
11
minutes
47
seconds
Current bid
€ 81
Reserve price not met
Ruth Garrido Vila
Expert
Selected by Ruth Garrido Vila

Directed the Ifergan Collection Museum, specialising in Phoenician and Mediterranean archaeology.

Estimate  € 36,000 - € 44,000
PL
€81
FR
€78
IL
€75

Catawiki Buyer Protection

Your payment’s safe with us until you receive your object.View details

Trustpilot 4.4 | 141948 reviews

Rated Excellent on Trustpilot.

Huge terracotta horse from the Han Dynasty, a standing sculpture with the dimensions 152.4 x 126.1 x 39 cm, authentic/original, showing repairs and patina with a 1996 thermoluminescence test and an accompanying invoice.

AI-assisted summary

Description from the seller

Terracotta Horse

Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD)

An important Chinese terracotta sculpture depicting a standing horse, captured with great expressive power and remarkable monumentality. The piece stands out for its elegant, upright neck, the vigorous modeling of the body, and the animated head with its open mouth—features that give it a highly decorative sculptural presence and a powerful visual impact.

Due to its exceptional dimensions and imposing silhouette, it is a particularly attractive example within the realm of Chinese funerary sculpture attributed to the Han Dynasty. The surface retains an archaeological patina consistent with its claimed age, with visible wear, erosion, and alterations characteristic of the passage of time, which reinforce its historical significance.

The piece is accompanied by a thermoluminescence test issued in 1996, which describes it as a “painted pottery horse” and indicates an approximate age of 1910 years. The test concludes that the result is consistent with the claimed age, Han Dynasty. An invoice from Marco Polo Fine Oriental Antiques & Works of Art (Hong Kong), dated September 3, 2006, is also included, providing additional documentary evidence of provenance.

Dimensions: 152.4 x 126.1 x 39 cm (approx.)

Condition: Wear, abrasions, surface losses, erosion, and general patina consistent with the nature of the material and the age of the piece. Direct examination is recommended for a thorough assessment of its condition and any previous restorations or stabilization work.

Documentation:

* Thermoluminescence test, April 23, 1996.
* Purchase invoice from Marco Polo Fine Oriental Antiques & Works of Art, Hong Kong, September 3, 2006.

Terracotta Horse

Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD)

An important Chinese terracotta sculpture depicting a standing horse, captured with great expressive power and remarkable monumentality. The piece stands out for its elegant, upright neck, the vigorous modeling of the body, and the animated head with its open mouth—features that give it a highly decorative sculptural presence and a powerful visual impact.

Due to its exceptional dimensions and imposing silhouette, it is a particularly attractive example within the realm of Chinese funerary sculpture attributed to the Han Dynasty. The surface retains an archaeological patina consistent with its claimed age, with visible wear, erosion, and alterations characteristic of the passage of time, which reinforce its historical significance.

The piece is accompanied by a thermoluminescence test issued in 1996, which describes it as a “painted pottery horse” and indicates an approximate age of 1910 years. The test concludes that the result is consistent with the claimed age, Han Dynasty. An invoice from Marco Polo Fine Oriental Antiques & Works of Art (Hong Kong), dated September 3, 2006, is also included, providing additional documentary evidence of provenance.

Dimensions: 152.4 x 126.1 x 39 cm (approx.)

Condition: Wear, abrasions, surface losses, erosion, and general patina consistent with the nature of the material and the age of the piece. Direct examination is recommended for a thorough assessment of its condition and any previous restorations or stabilization work.

Documentation:

* Thermoluminescence test, April 23, 1996.
* Purchase invoice from Marco Polo Fine Oriental Antiques & Works of Art, Hong Kong, September 3, 2006.

Details

Culture
Ancient Chinese, Han dynasty
Century/timeframe
260 AC
Name of object
Huge Horse. With old TL Test and invoice
Acquired from
Gallery / Antique dealer
Year acquired
2006
Material
Terracotta
Country acquired from
China
Condition
Some repairs and old restorations. See pictures.
Previous owner acquired from
Private collection
Height
153 cm
Previous owner - year acquired
1996
Width
126 cm
Previous owner - country acquired from
Hong Kong
Depth
39 cm
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
SpainVerified
40
Objects sold
77.78%
Private

Disclaimer

The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.

The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.

Similar objects

  • ​
    ​
    ​
  • ​
    ​
    ​
  • ​
    ​
    ​
  • ​
    ​
    ​
  • ​
    ​
    ​
  • ​
    ​
    ​
  • ​
    ​
    ​
  • ​
    ​
    ​
  • ​
    ​
    ​
  • ​
    ​
    ​

For you in

Archaeology

  • ​
    ​
    ​
  • ​
    ​
    ​
  • ​
    ​
    ​
  • ​
    ​
    ​
  • ​
    ​
    ​
  • ​
    ​
    ​
  • ​
    ​
    ​
  • ​
    ​
    ​
  • ​
    ​
    ​
  • ​
    ​
    ​