han 206 BC – 220 AD Rare big TaoMa

• RMB 66310
• HKD 101907
• USD 12844
• EUR 9500

CAPITAL SICHUAN POTTERY HORSE. CERAMIC.
China. Han Dynasty. 206 BC – 220 AD.
Ceramic with painting. Powerfully modelled ceramic horse in a walking position the head proudly poised with strong neck， open mouth， large bulging eyes， flared nostrils and pricked ears. The tall slender legs supporting the massive body， the cropped tail ending in a knot. Heihgt 105cm. Condition B/C. Typical restorations.
The Thermoluminescence test from ASA， Francine Maurer with no. 10.16.27 – TL 205.134 dated May 26， 2000 confirms the dating.
Literature：
-Los Angeles County Museum （ed.）： The Quest for Eternity， Los Angeles Museum 1987. Cp. type no. 11.
-Kaogu Xuebao： Excavation of ancient tombs and Han wells at Banqiao in Biyang， Henan，
1958. Cp. type no. 100.
This type of large， strong horses were found in the Han graves of the Sichuan Province. To repel the Xiongnu warriors the Han emperor Wudi had the so-called heavenly horses （tianma） imported from the Ferghana Valley in Central Asia.