Lot 1020. A rare bronze figure of a horse, Yuan-Early Ming dynasty, 13th-15th century; 10 in. (25.3 cm.) long. Estimate USD 18,000 - USD 25,000. Price realised USD 35,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2014

The caparisoned horse is shown standing foursquare with head turned slightly to the right, and has a split forelock and pricked ears. The saddle is decorated with a single flower head, and is set on top of a deep oval blanket decorated with a diaper pattern, and the chest strap and crouper are hung with tassels.

Property from the Collection of Baron Francois de Berenx.

Provenance: Private collection, Hong Kong, ca. 1962-63.

Note: This bronze horse is very similar to a painted pottery example dated to the Yuan dynasty, from Weiqu in Chang'an county, Shaanxi province, and now in the Shaanxi History Museum, illustrated by Bill Cooke (ed.) in Imperial China: The Art of the Horse in Chinese History, Lexington, Kentucky, 2000, p. 164, no. 155, where it is noted that the large oval saddle skirt is typical of the Yuan dynasty, and the horse is identified as being of Mongolian type.

Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, New York, 18 - 19 September 2014