Lot 1151. A painted grey pottery figure of a caparisoned horse, Northern Wei dynasty (AD 386-534); 8 ½ in. (21.6 cm.) high. Estimate USD 8,000 - USD 12,000. Price realised USD 16,250. © Christie's Images Ltd 2018

The horse is finely modeled with a graceful, arched neck and a small, tapered head crisply detailed with flared nostrils, open mouth, and pricked ears. The chest is spanned by a tassel-hung strap, and the rump is protected by leather strapwork armor hung with foliate tassels. The back is draped with a red cloth with fringed ends set atop a flared mud guard combed with markings in imitation of fur. There are extensive traces of red pigment.