Lot 101
East Asia, China, Han dynasty, ca. 206 BCE to 220 CE. An impressive and quite sizable pottery figure of a horse groom, rendered in fine, naturalistic detail with a slender body dressed in a long-sleeved robe that flares out at his knees beneath a tunic, carefully painted with dotted and striated decoration. Gazing forth from slender eyes above a broad nose and straight mouth, his expression is both calm and dignified, as he holds out his hand, presumably to grasp the reins of his noble steed. During this period of Chinese history, horses came from the Ferghama Valley in Central Asia present day Afghanistan. When elite individuals passed away, large walking terracotta Ferghama horses were created to carry the deceased into the hereafter. This horse groom likely functioned to care for the steed in the tomb of an elite individual. Size: 6.6" L x 8.3" W x 23" H (16.8 cm x 21.1 cm x 58.4 cm)
Tomb statues like this horse 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 of the Han Dynasty 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. Caring for the po seems to have taken on a new level of meaning in the Han period, with more elaborate rituals and tomb construction arising.
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: ex-Arte Primitivo, New York, New York, USA, Summer 23 Variety Auction, July 10th and 14th, 2023, lot 232; ex-private Lewis collection, Florida, USA
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
IMPORTANT EXCEPTION We are currently unable to ship to Australia, Germany or Switzerland due to customs regulations.
#181293
- Condition: Some nicks, chips, and abrasions to surface as shown, all commensurate with age. Otherwise, intact and excellent with nice remaining pigments and light earthen deposits to surface. TL holes to bottom left sleeve and back of head.
Accepted Forms of Payment:
American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Shipping
Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense
Artemis Fine Arts
You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 26.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.
View full terms and conditions
| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $299 | $25 |
| $300 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $19,999 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $49,999 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $20,000 |