Horse rider. With TL test and X-ray image. The Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD) was one of the greatest in Imperial Chinese history. The Tang Era is heralded as a golden age. It witnessed the prosperity of culture, economy, diplomacy and politics under a unified government. The horse played a prominent part since the earliest times in the life of the Chinese people. The horse itself was a potent image during the vigorous expansion of the Tang age. Chargers such as this one were both the reward of military expeditions, and the foundation of imperial stability that would in turn encourage trade and prosperity over a vast empire. Horses also were a sign of wealth: strict sumptuary laws limited the use of the horses to people of a certain rank. An extremely fine Chinese terracotta archer sat upon a hollow-moulded horse, dating to the Tang Dynasty. The horse is depicted standing, with legs straight, on an integral square base. 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 and open mouth. Attached report of analysis by thermoluminescence carried out by the QED laboratory. Attached X-radiographic study carried out by SGS. Provenance: Purchased by the current owner to a London gallery. Ex private collection (West Country, UK; 1990s). The Supplier warrants that he obtained this lot legally. Provenance statement seen by Catawiki. Important information. The seller guarantees that he is entitled to ship this lot. The seller will take care that any necessary permits will be arranged. The seller will inform the buyer about this if this takes more than a few days. Important: For destinations out of Spanish territory: all our objects will be shipped after obtaining CERTIFICATE OF EXPORTATION by Ministry of Culture of Spain. We inform our clients that it may take between 4-8 weeks.