This particular horse sculpture exemplifies the typical pose of Han-period equine figures—a neighing steed with its mouth wide open. Like many tomb sculptures of the era, it is crafted in unglazed, with its ears, tail, and legs separately fabricated in wood or clay and slotted into pre-prepared holes. However, several distinguishing features elevate this piece beyond standard Han horse depictions. The finely sculpted, expressive head and traces of cold-painted water-based pigments over a white slip indicate a level of craftsmanship associated with high-quality works. Most notably, the horn-like extension atop the mane sets this sculpture apart, signifying a celestial steed—a highly coveted breed imported from western China, prized by the Han aristocracy and royal household.
The widespread presence of small horse sculptures in clay or wood as burial offerings in Han dynasty tombs highlights the significance of this domesticated animal in Bronze Age China, where daily life revolved around agriculture, trade, and military conflicts with nomadic tribes.
Date : Han Dynasty(206 B.C.E. - 220 C.E.) Dimension : 25cm (Height) x 28cm(Diameter) Condition : Excellent Provenance : Acquired in late 1990s from Hongkong Reference : 1) Smart Museum of Art - The University of Chicago - Object number 1997.100 (Type : Highly related) https://smartcollection.uchicago.edu/objects/8323/horse
2) Sotheby's Newyork 22 November 2024 - Lot 139 - A gray pottery figure of a horse, Han dynasty (Type : Closely related) https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2024/china-5000-years-including-property-from-the-junkunc-collection/a-gray-pottery-figure-of-a-horse-han-dynasty
