2,500 years ago, a faithful horse and his rider were replicated in clay and buried together with their emperor. They will never expected to outlive the empire that they represented.
Cavalryman and Saddled Horse
Earthenware | Qin dynasty (221-206 BC) | Dimensions: H (figure): 72 27/32 in (185 cm), H x L (horse): 66 5/32 x 81 3/32 in (168 x 206 cm) | Emperor Qin Shihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum, Lintong, Shaanxi Province, China, Excavated in Pit No. 2, mausoleum complex of Emperor Qin Shihuang (210 BC).
A cavalryman and his horse were on display at Emperor Qin Shihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum. The figures were originally found in Pit No. 2. The cavalry, a name for soldiers who fought on horseback, was the quickest group on the battlefield and a powerful new addition to the Qin army. 116 similar cavalrymen with their horses were found in Pit No. 2.
Horses were strictly selected from Hequ 河曲 and were well trained. The horse is shown with a saddle decorated with girth and crupper, but no stirrup. The figure wears a knee-length robe, an armoured vest and tight-fitting trousers. Beneath the belted waist, the robe appears to fall with pleats and folds. The small fight hat is fastened under the chin.
He holds the reins in one hand and a crossbow in the other.
According to historical records, cavalrymen were required to be of slender build, agile appearance, under 40 years old, and over 5’8” (172 cm) tall. Their horses were required to be 4’3” (130cm) tall at the shoulder, making both cavalrymen and their horses strictly selected.
Part of the reason cavalrymen were required to be so tall is because of the horse’s saddle. The saddle has no stirrups. Stirrups, which help a rider mount a horse, weren’t invented for another 500 years. To easily mount a horse without stirrups or a stool, it helps to be tall.
About Chinese National Treasure Series
中華國寶系列 Chinese National Treasure series feature specific artefacts and relics from museums all around the world that are historically significant to be considered a National Treasure. The series covers the 5,000 years of Chinese civilisation from Neolithic periods before the Xia dynasty (c. 2070-1600 BC) to modern day.
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