Ancient Chinese, Tang Dynasty Terracotta Camell and rider. With invoice - 73 cm
03
days
16
hours
50
minutes
48
seconds
Current bid
€ 1,900
Reserve price not met
Expert
Selected by Ruth Garrido Vila
Directed the Ifergan Collection Museum, specialising in Phoenician and Mediterranean archaeology.
Estimate € 11,000 - € 14,000
 | €1,900 | |
|---|---|---|
| €1,800 | |
| €1,700 | |
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Terracotta sculpture of a two-hump bactrian camel with rider from the Chinese Tang dynasty (618–907 CE), measuring 73 × 56 × 21 cm, in good condition, acquired from a gallery/antiquarian in China in 2006 with a private collection provenance (previous owner acquired in 1996) and authenticated as original, with invoice.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Bactrian camel with rider
China, Tang Dynasty (618–907 A.D.)
Terracotta with remains of polychromy
Impressive Chinese funerary sculpture representing a Bactrian camel with two humps and a rider, attributed to the Tang Dynasty, one of the cultural and commercial peaks in the history of China.
Approximate measurements: 73 × 56 × 21 cm.
The camel is depicted with extraordinary expressive force, with the neck raised, the head projecting forward and the mouth open, while the long mane is modeled with marked grooves. On the two humps sits the rider, dressed in a characteristic pointed headdress and accompanied by tack and lateral saddlebags.
During the Tang period, Bactrian camels played a fundamental role in the caravans along the Silk Road, linking China with Central Asia and the West. For this reason they became one of the emblematic motifs of Tang funeral art, associated with trade, prosperity, prestige and contact with foreign cultures.
The piece retains an attractive archaeological surface, with traces of ancient pigments, deposits, abrasions and wear typical of its nature and age, which gives great character to the whole.
Provenance
Chap Ku Tong, Hong Kong.
Purchased in 2008.
The gallery’s original invoice is preserved, where the piece is explicitly described as:
“Tang pottery camel with rider”.
This documented provenance constitutes a particularly interesting element for its collection history.
Condition
Condition consistent with the age of an archaeological terracotta piece, with surface wear, losses of polychromy, deposits, small cracks and possible ancient interventions or consolidations. See the detailed photographs, which are an integral part of the description.
A particularly decorative and collectible piece due to its strong sculptural presence, expressive representation of the camel and its link to the fascinating Silk Road culture during the Tang Dynasty.
Catawiki disclaimer: This object has been dated based on style by the seller. No further tests, such as, a TL test, C14 test, lapidary tests, analysis of pigments or radiography scans have been conducted to check the integrity of the piece.
Bactrian camel with rider
China, Tang Dynasty (618–907 A.D.)
Terracotta with remains of polychromy
Impressive Chinese funerary sculpture representing a Bactrian camel with two humps and a rider, attributed to the Tang Dynasty, one of the cultural and commercial peaks in the history of China.
Approximate measurements: 73 × 56 × 21 cm.
The camel is depicted with extraordinary expressive force, with the neck raised, the head projecting forward and the mouth open, while the long mane is modeled with marked grooves. On the two humps sits the rider, dressed in a characteristic pointed headdress and accompanied by tack and lateral saddlebags.
During the Tang period, Bactrian camels played a fundamental role in the caravans along the Silk Road, linking China with Central Asia and the West. For this reason they became one of the emblematic motifs of Tang funeral art, associated with trade, prosperity, prestige and contact with foreign cultures.
The piece retains an attractive archaeological surface, with traces of ancient pigments, deposits, abrasions and wear typical of its nature and age, which gives great character to the whole.
Provenance
Chap Ku Tong, Hong Kong.
Purchased in 2008.
The gallery’s original invoice is preserved, where the piece is explicitly described as:
“Tang pottery camel with rider”.
This documented provenance constitutes a particularly interesting element for its collection history.
Condition
Condition consistent with the age of an archaeological terracotta piece, with surface wear, losses of polychromy, deposits, small cracks and possible ancient interventions or consolidations. See the detailed photographs, which are an integral part of the description.
A particularly decorative and collectible piece due to its strong sculptural presence, expressive representation of the camel and its link to the fascinating Silk Road culture during the Tang Dynasty.
Catawiki disclaimer: This object has been dated based on style by the seller. No further tests, such as, a TL test, C14 test, lapidary tests, analysis of pigments or radiography scans have been conducted to check the integrity of the piece.
Details
Culture
Ancient Chinese, Tang Dynasty
Century/timeframe
600-900 dc
Name of object
Camell and rider. With invoice
Acquired from
Gallery / Antique dealer
Year acquired
2006
Material
Terracotta
Country acquired from
China
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Private collection
Height
73 cm
Previous owner - year acquired
1996
Width
56 cm
Previous owner - country acquired from
Hong Kong
Depth
21 cm
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
Sold by
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.
