A large sancai glazed caparisoned horse
Tang dynasty, 8th century AD
China
Height: 27” Length: 30 ½”

The powerfully modelled horse stands foursquare upon a rectangular base - its head turned slightly to the left. The mouth is open, ears pricked, and there are green glazed horse brasses to each cheek, and between the eyes and above the nose. The green saddle sits upon two blankets decorated with a mottled sancai glaze; the horse is of a light cream colour - with brown hooves, mane and tail. Elaborate floral trappings in alternating green and amber glaze are suspended from a strap around the horse’s hind quarters; a similar strap to the front bears simpler tear drop shaped brasses.