This is a painted pottery figure of a caparisoned horse from the Northern Wei dynasty (386–535). These figurines were often placed in tombs to serve and assist the deceased in the afterlife.
Painted Pottery Horse 彩绘陶马
Porcelain | Northern Wei Dynasty (386-535) | Datong Museum Collection, Excavated from the tomb of Song Shaozu and his wife at Yanbel Teachers College, Datong City in 2000. 陶瓷｜北魏 （公元386年-535年）｜大同市博物馆藏，2000年大同市雁北师院宋绍祖夫妇基出土
Horse sculptures like this one were commonly used in China as mingqi 冥器, or grave goods, and were buried in tombs. Grave goods were objects meant to be used in the afterlife. They symbolised immortality and high status, commemorated and recorded the life of the deceased, and displayed the devoutness of the children or relatives of the deceased.
The horse stands with its neck bent, as if it is paying respect to the rider. The braided mane is fine and neat, the eyes are full of energy. The horse’s mouth is shut as if making a silent neigh.
The bridle and rein go around around the neck, with a bell below the bit.
The saddle and pad are placed in the middle of the horse’s back. The horse’s whole body is painted with red mesh stripes.
The horse was a symbol of immortality. According to Chinese lore, the mythical Emperor Huangdi achieved immortality by ascending Mount Kunlun, the home of the immortals, on the back of a winged creature that is often described as a horse. During the beginning of the Han dynasty, the horse became associated with the dragon and was assigned supernatural qualities such as the ability to fly.
Horses were also important in building the cavalry, the most important line of military defence at the time. In short, the horse represented an ideal and became a metaphor in art and culture for its strength, power, potency, speed, grace, and beauty.
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.
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.
0 comments on “Treasures – Painted Pottery Horse (Northern Wei)”