Terracotta Dancing Horses, China, Tang Dynasty (618-907). Photo courtesy Vanderven Oriental Art.

Height: 57 cm. TL-tested by Oxford Authentication Ltd. Price on request

We regularly have terracotta objects tested with a thermo-luminescence test to ensure correct dating of the piece. A small amount of clay is taken from the object which is then heated. Clay contains minute traces of radioactive elements, which when firing are boosted to a higher energy level at which they remain trapped. A small sample of ancient pottery will emit a faint blue light when heated to a sufficiently high temperature. This faint blue light is known as thermo-luminescence, or TL. The intensity of the TL signal is proportional to the time which has elapsed since the clay was last heated, normally since the kiln firing, and can be used to date when the object was last fired. Oxford Authentication Ltd is the foremost laboratory in the world for thermo luminescence testing and the only facility in compliance with international quality assurance standards.

Exhibition: NB Olympia 2009

Vanderven Oriental Art. MasterArt at TEFAF 2014 on stand 814. 14-23 march 2014 - http://www.masterart.com/