The rider is seated upright, wearing a smoothly draped robe with finely sculpted folds. The red markings on the garment surface are likely either soil deposits or remnants of pigments used for decorative detailing.
The horse’s head is slightly lowered, with small ears and finely carved details that create a lifelike expression. The straw glaze exhibits a soft yellowish-green hue, subtly enhancing the ceramic's smooth texture. The figure retains significant soil deposits from burial, overall, the structure remains well-preserved. There is a hole on the head, which suggest that a headdress or decorative element was once attached.
Date : Sui-Tang Dynasty
Type : Straw-glazed pottery figure
Dimension : 31cm (Height) x 24cm (Diameter)
Condition : Good
Provenance : Acquired in late 1990s from Hongkong
Reference :
1) V&A - Accession number C.116-1913 - Figure of a woman on horseback
(Type : related)
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O180821/figure-unknown/
* Sui-Tang Dynasty Straw-glazed Earthenware (581–907 CE)
Straw-glazed earthenware from the Sui and Tang dynasties (581–907 CE) is characterized by a pale yellow, off-white, or greenish glaze fired at a low temperature. This type of glaze, known as straw glaze, contains minimal iron content, resulting in a soft, natural hue with a subtle sheen rather than a glossy surface. It was commonly used for mingqi (明器)—funerary objects placed in tombs—as well as for practical vessels.
During this period, the influence of foreign cultures through the Silk Road is evident in the design of straw-glazed ceramics, particularly in figurines representing warriors, attendants, and animals. These pieces reflect the cosmopolitan nature of the Tang Dynasty, incorporating elements of Central Asian and nomadic attire. As tomb objects, they symbolized the deceased’s status and authority in the afterlife.
While technically simpler than Tang Sancai (唐三彩, three-colored ware), straw-glazed ceramics exhibit elegant curves and refined craftsmanship, making them an important representation of the artistic sophistication of the era.
