A figure of an equestrian drummer, China, Tang Dynasty, 8th century. Amber-glazed. Height 38 cm (15 in.) © Littleton & Hennessy Asian Art

Modelled seated on a horse, the musician sitting upright with his hands raised, wearing a round-neck robe, trousers, boots and a long cloth cap. The horse is standing foursquare on a rectangular slab, and moulded with harness, saddle and a drum on its left neck. The fi gure glazed overall with an amber glaze graduating to pale beige on the extremities. The head, saddle and the base are unglazed.

Provenance: The Sze Yuan Tang collection.

A figure of a female attendant, China, Tang Dynasty, 618-906. Sancai-glazed. Height 41 cm (16.1 in.) © Littleton & Hennessy Asian Art

The modelled figure is standing with legs slightly apart and her hands clasped in front. The lady is shown with a full, rounded face; her hair fashioned into a double-chignon and wearing a high-waisted open-neck dress with a green bodice and straw-glazed sash wrapped around her shoulders, above an amber-coloured skirt resting on her cloud-shaped shoes.

Provenance: The Sze Yuan Tang Collection.

Model of a buffalo, China, Tang Dynasty, 8th century. Glazed in blue with straw-glazed highlights, the base glazed in blue and amber, modelled recumbent on a oblong base with its right foreleg outstretched, 12 x 18.5 cm (4.7 x 7.3 in.) © Littleton & Hennessy Asian Art

Domestic animals were popular subjects in the Tang tombs, and are amongst some of the most charming and playful examples of sancai-pottery. The current buffalo is unusual in that it is depicted recumbent, while most of the buffalo we see are depicted standing. However, a seated mythical beast in the Tenri Sankokan Museum Collection in Nara, Japan, has very similar modelling, with its left front leg tucked underneath, and right foreleg outstretched. 

Provenance: The Sze Yuan Tang Collection.

 A 'lion' pillow, China, Tang Dynasty, 8th century. Sancai-glazed. Width 14.5 cm © Littleton & Hennessy Asian Art 

Provenance: The Sze Yuan Tang Collection.

Littleton & Hennessy Asian Art is a leading art advisory company specialising in Chinese works of art. Established in 1996, we have assisted clients from all around the world in forming some of the finest private collections of Chinese art. Furthermore, we are proud to have either purchased works of art on their behalf, or sold pieces to various art institutions around the world, including but not limited to: - The Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York) - The Museum of Fine Art (Boston) - The Peabody Essex Museum (Salem, MA) - Asian Civilisations Museum (Singapore) - Poly Art Museum (PR China)

Littleton & Hennessy Asian Art at TEFAF New York Fall 2017, Stangd 35. Primary Address: 1 Princes Place, Duke Street, St. James's, London, SW1Y 6DE, United Kingdom. T  +442079300888 - M   +447717825828 - mark@littletonandhennessy.com - www.littletonandhennessy.com