Country of Origin: Tan'g China

Date of Origin Tang Dynasty late 8th century

Use: Funeral figure.

JBOC Comments: These were common in the late 8th century in China. They were used as figurals in "Heavenly Horse". tombs. The horse is not a typical horse of 8th century China but is a hevenly horse.

Auction Catalogue Description:

FINE CHINESE CERAMICS AND WORKS OF ART
SALE N07771 LOT 51
SESSION 1 | 20 Mar 02 10:15 AM.
New York
A VERY RARE AND LARGE PAINTED POTTERY 'LEG-BITING' HORSE TANG DYNASTY
40,000—60,000 USD
Lot Sold. Hammer Price with Buyer's Premium: 55,950 USD
MEASUREMENTS
length 15in. (38.1cm.)
DESCRIPTION
standing foursquare on a rectangular base with head bent low as if about to gnaw at its left foreleg, boldly modelled with hogged mane and docked tail, the saddle hidden under a thick sheepskin saddle-cloth realistically modeled with tufts of mangy hair, the body of the horse covered with a reddish pigment and traces of orange over the grey mane
The dating of this lot is consistent with the results of a thermoluminescence test, Oxford Authentication Ltd., no. c101t76.

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