Lot 20. A large painted pottery figure of a prancing horse, Tang dynasty (AD 618-907); 23 in. (57 cm.) long. Estimate GBP 60,000 - GBP 80,000 (USD 74,700 - USD 99,600). Price realised GBP 25,000. © Christie's Image Ltd 2019 

The figure is powerfully modelled with front right leg raised, the mouth open, the head turned slightly to the left, the tail braided, and the saddle cloth painted with elaborate details highlighted in red pigment.

Property from the Estate of Albert and Leonie van Daalen, Geneva, Switzerland.

Provenance: With Vanderven & Vanderven, The Netherlands, November 1996. 

Note: Albert (1927-2018) and Leonie van Daalen-Roell (1930-2018) were descendants of well-respected Dutch families who followed family tradition in amassing an extensive art collection. Their collection ranged from Chinese ceramics and works of art to Old Master paintings, Dutch Delft, silver and furniture. They bought from leading international auction houses and renowned European and London dealers across a period that spanned several decades. Christie’s are delighted to present their collection here, from lots 20–34, and also in the single owner online auction, The van Daalen Collection of Chinese Art, that is open for bidding from 30 October to 6 November 2019.
The van Daalen’s had a special interest in Chinese art that was initially triggered by an armorial plate inherited by Albert with the Sichterman coat-of-arms. His family descended from Jan Albert Sichterman (1692-1764), pictured here, who was the famous Dutch East India (VOC) governor in Bengal for 27 years. Sichterman returned to the Netherlands a wealthy man with a fine collection of Chinese art. A large blue and white cistern and cover bearing the Sichterman coat-of-arms is offered here, lot 33, while a selection of pieces from several ‘Sichterman’ armorial dinner services are offered in The van Daalen Collection of Chinese Art. An Anglo-Indian ivory inlaid ebony and ebonised document box, Vizagapatan, c.1760, also bearing the Sichterman coat-of-arms is offered in The Collector: English and European Furniture on 13 November 2019.
Over the years the focus of the van Daalen’s collecting tastes broadened from Chinese armorial and export porcelain to include Tang pottery, Song dynasty ceramics, Ming dynasty blue and white porcelain and cinnabar lacquer works of art. 

Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, London, 5 November 2019