Important Art Object. Tomb Figurines of a Pair of Horses, Tang Dynasty, 8th Century. Three-color-glazed pottery. (White horse) H. 71.2 cm, L. 82.5 cm; (Black horse) H. 70.0 cm, L. 76.5 cm. Donated by Mrs. Kinuko Zenidaka © Kyoto National Museum (GK214)  

These black and white tomb figurines are meant to portray rare breeds of horses. The black horse, covered in dark-brown glaze, has an unusual metallic luster. The white horse's strange, pinkish coloring was achieved by coating white clay with a white-slip, spotting with yellow primer, then applying an over-coat of white glaze. The saddles and other trappings are beautifully colored in three-color glazes. Few of the many other existing tomb horses can rival the elaborate workmanship on this pair.