Ancient Chinese, Han dynasty Terracotta Han Sichuan Horse - TL APPROVED - 110 cm
06
days
23
hours
10
minutes
11
seconds
Current bid
€ 2
Reserve price not met
Expert
Selected by Ruth Garrido Vila
Directed the Ifergan Collection Museum, specialising in Phoenician and Mediterranean archaeology.
Estimate € 14,000 - € 17,000
 | €2 | |
|---|---|---|
 | €1 |
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Han dynasty Sichuan terracotta horse, 110 x 120 x 30 cm, dating to 206 BCE–220 CE, with thermoluminescence authentication, restored along the fracture line in the left ear and on the front legs and a small loss to the front-left hoof, in good condition, authenticity original/official.
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Description from the seller
Horse; Sichuan, China, Han Dynasty, 206 BCE – 220 CE.
Terracotta.
Thermoluminescence dating attached.
Shows restoration along the fracture line at the left ear and on the front hooves. Minor loss to the front left hoof.
Dimensions: 110 x 120 x 30 cm.
This large-format horse with a striking sculptural presence is modeled with great volumetric weight and is depicted standing, with all four legs firmly planted on the ground in a contained movement pose, conveying a sense of dynamic stability.
The head is shown upright, with the clipped mane rising between the alert ears, wide-open eyes, dilated nostrils, and a prominent snout with the mouth slightly open, teeth visible, features that reinforce its energetic and realistic character.
This type of figures, known as mingqi (“grave goods”), were part of the funerary equipage intended to accompany the deceased in the afterlife. Their function was not decorative but symbolic and ritual: they substituted goods, animals, and servants of the earthly world, guaranteeing the deceased the conditions necessary for continued existence in the other life. In this context, the horse occupied a prominent place as a symbol of status, military power, and social prestige, in addition to being an essential element in the organization and expansion of the Han Empire.
The Han Dynasty is regarded as one of the great moments of splendor in Chinese civilization, characterized by the consolidation of imperial power, territorial expansion, and intense cultural development. Through the Silk Road contacts with Central Asia, India, and other regions were strengthened, driving a remarkable exchange of ideas, techniques, and goods. This opening context also favored the development of religious beliefs, including Confucianism and Buddhism, as well as increasingly refined artistic production.
Taken together, this horse figure not only reflects the high technical level of Han ceramics but also a deeply symbolic conception of funerary art, in which the representation of the animal blends realism, status, and ritual function within the Chinese view of the transition to the afterlife.
Seller's Story
Galería Fuentenebro emerged in 2018 to combine ancient art and contemporary art with a selection of high-quality works in a single space.
Created by art experts with more than fifteen years of experience specialized in Archaeology, Antiquities of the s. XX and in the last great styles of the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s and Art Decó. In 2019 he creates a space in Madrid combining masterpieces from different eras in a single eclectic and different space.
We search and select the best pieces to introduce the international market trends in Spain.
Translated by Google TranslateHorse; Sichuan, China, Han Dynasty, 206 BCE – 220 CE.
Terracotta.
Thermoluminescence dating attached.
Shows restoration along the fracture line at the left ear and on the front hooves. Minor loss to the front left hoof.
Dimensions: 110 x 120 x 30 cm.
This large-format horse with a striking sculptural presence is modeled with great volumetric weight and is depicted standing, with all four legs firmly planted on the ground in a contained movement pose, conveying a sense of dynamic stability.
The head is shown upright, with the clipped mane rising between the alert ears, wide-open eyes, dilated nostrils, and a prominent snout with the mouth slightly open, teeth visible, features that reinforce its energetic and realistic character.
This type of figures, known as mingqi (“grave goods”), were part of the funerary equipage intended to accompany the deceased in the afterlife. Their function was not decorative but symbolic and ritual: they substituted goods, animals, and servants of the earthly world, guaranteeing the deceased the conditions necessary for continued existence in the other life. In this context, the horse occupied a prominent place as a symbol of status, military power, and social prestige, in addition to being an essential element in the organization and expansion of the Han Empire.
The Han Dynasty is regarded as one of the great moments of splendor in Chinese civilization, characterized by the consolidation of imperial power, territorial expansion, and intense cultural development. Through the Silk Road contacts with Central Asia, India, and other regions were strengthened, driving a remarkable exchange of ideas, techniques, and goods. This opening context also favored the development of religious beliefs, including Confucianism and Buddhism, as well as increasingly refined artistic production.
Taken together, this horse figure not only reflects the high technical level of Han ceramics but also a deeply symbolic conception of funerary art, in which the representation of the animal blends realism, status, and ritual function within the Chinese view of the transition to the afterlife.
Seller's Story
Galería Fuentenebro emerged in 2018 to combine ancient art and contemporary art with a selection of high-quality works in a single space.
Created by art experts with more than fifteen years of experience specialized in Archaeology, Antiquities of the s. XX and in the last great styles of the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s and Art Decó. In 2019 he creates a space in Madrid combining masterpieces from different eras in a single eclectic and different space.
We search and select the best pieces to introduce the international market trends in Spain.
Translated by Google TranslateDetails
Culture
Ancient Chinese, Han dynasty
Century/timeframe
Dinastía Han, 206 a. C. - 220 a. C.
Name of object
Han Sichuan Horse - TL APPROVED
Acquired from
Gallery / Antique dealer
Year acquired
2023
Material
Terracotta
Country acquired from
Spain
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Private collection
Height
110 cm
Previous owner - year acquired
2022
Width
120 cm
Previous owner - country acquired from
France
Depth
30 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.
