Lot 8. A large painted pottery figure of a prancing horse, Tang dynasty (618-907); 20 ½ in. (52.1 cm.) high. Estimate GBP 60,000 - GBP 80,000 (USD 78,420 - USD 104,560). Price realised GBP 106,250. © Christie's Images Ltd 2018

The horse is naturalistically modelled with the right leg raised, the mouth open and the head turned slightly to the left. The saddle is covered with a cloth gathered on either side and the trappings are hung with tassels. There are traces of black, dark red, reddish-orange and gilt pigments, wood stand.

Provenance: The Mount Trust Collection of Chinese Art. 
With John Sparks, London, 1976.

Exhibited: Oriental Ceramic Society, The Arts of the T'ang Dynasty, London, 1955, no. 49.
Victoria and Albert Museum, The Mount Trust Collection of Chinese Art, London, 1970, no. 25 (illustrated on the front cover of the catalogue).

Note: Horses in Tang-dynasty China were admired for their speed, tenaciousness, and intelligence, and not only were they important in the realms of travel and war, they also played a big role in the leisure activities of the noble, such polo horses for sport and trained dancing horses for entertainment. It was from this great love of horses that we see impressive tomb figures of horses standing foursquare, prancing (such as the current lot), and mid-gallop bearing a polo player in action. The vivacity of the current lot is expressed in its open mouth, alert expression, prancing posture, and the modelling of the jingling bells that decorate its harness. Compare prancing horses that are also elaborately decorated sold at Sotheby’s New York, 15 March 2017, lot 599, Christie’s New York, 20 September 2005, lot 174, and a further horse 4 June 1992, lot 233.