Horse, Northern Wei dynasty, 400 - 500, tomb figure, terracotta, h 23.3cm × w 21.0cm × d 18.3cm. AK-MAK-533. On loan from the Vereniging van Vrienden der Aziatische Kunst, 1972. Rijksmusem, Amsterdam.

Caparisoned horse; traces of polychrome.

In ancient China, oxcarts were vehicles used by wealthy people. Model carts found in tombs formed part of the representation of the deceased’s daily life. The horse is several centuries older and has a small, finely modelled head characteristic of the period. The blanket over the saddle shows that at the time the animal was represented, it did not have a rider.