Tang Equestrian Figure (Female Rider)
Sculpture, Funerary Art (Mingqi) • Chinese Imperial or Provincial Workshop
Style & Movement
Sui/Tang Dynasty Naturalism
Medium & Technique
Earthenware pottery with cold-painted pigments over a white slip; hand-modeled and mold-made components.
Creation Period
Tang Dynasty (618–907 AD)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 12-15 inches in height (based on the scale of the books below); freestanding three-dimensional format.
Subject Description
A female attendant or court lady seated on a standing horse. The figure represents high-status leisure activities, potentially polo or hunting. The horse is depicted with the characteristic powerful neck and sturdy physique of the 'heavenly horses' imported from Central Asia.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good. There is significant loss of original polychromy (pigment) and surface erosion typical of excavated burial goods.
Estimated Market Value
USD $1,500 – $3,500 (depending on authenticity and TL test results)
Auction Estimate
USD $1,200 – $2,500
Provenance History
Likely sourced from a tomb cache in Northern China. Specific ownership history unknown without Thermoluminescence (TL) testing documentation.
Art Historical Significance
Reflects the cosmopolitan nature of Tang society and the elevate status of women during the 7th-8th centuries. Such figures were intended to accompany the deceased into the afterlife to maintain their worldly comforts.
Notable Features
The upright, dignified posture of the rider and the remnants of black pigment on the rider's attire. The horse's head features the distinct Tang 'cut-off' ear style and muscular chest.
Condition Issues
Visible surface abrasions, soil encrustations, loss of original paint, and possible repair/reattachment at the horse's legs and the rider's neck (common in excavated ceramics).
Conservation Recommendations
Maintain in a stable environment with low humidity. Avoid handling without gloves to protect fragile pigments. Professional cleaning is discouraged unless by a specialist in ancient ceramics.
Collector Notes
Tong dynasty