Lot 197
East Asia, China, Northern Wei Dynasty, ca. 386 to 535 CE. A remarkable pottery figure of an armored horse and rider adorned in liberal remains of red and white pigments. The warrior sits up straight and stares determinately forward, a pointed helmet atop his head and arms resting at each side as his muscular steed curves its head forward. This horseman would have been part of a tomb retinue meant to protect the deceased in the afterlife, as well as provide necessities and signify rank. The prominent armor and noble steed highlight the Wei dynasty's powerful military presence, as well as the importance of horses for travel along the Silk Road trade routes that fell under their rule. Interestingly, this figure was molded with a flattened back, perhaps to hold a banner or another object. Size: 8.4" L x 3.7" W x 9.2" H (21.3 cm x 9.4 cm x 23.4 cm); 9.5" H (24.1 cm) on included custom stand.
Tomb attendants like this one are part of a class of artifacts called mingqi - sometimes known as "spirit utensils" or "vessels for ghosts". They became popular in the Han Dynasty and would persist for several centuries. Alongside figures like this one were musicians, athletes, animals, structures
Even though they were mass produced, mingqi often show a high level of detail and naturalism. These were designed to assist the po, the part of the soul of the deceased that remained underground with the body while the hun, the other part of the soul, ascended.
Cf. Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession numbers 20.39.3 and 20.39.2.
This piece has been tested using thermoluminescence (TL) analysis and has been found to be ancient and of the period stated. A full printed and bound report will accompany the item upon purchase.
Provenance: private Constance McCormick Fearing estate, Montecito, California, USA, acquired before 2004
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#181030
- Condition: Missing proper left hind leg. Left front leg professionally repaired with minor chipping along break line. Nicks and abrasions to surface, commensurate with age. Otherwise, nice presentation and great remaining pigments. TL holes on verso of rider's head and another inside break line on front left leg (not visible).
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