Vintage Tang Era Terracotta Horse
Earthenware clay
9.5" x 5.5" x 14"

Tang horses are among the most famous works of Chinese art. Each piece is typically composed of earthenware, a porous and permeable common clay. Tang horses range in color from nearly white to buff, red, or brown/black, depending on the mineral content. Each horse was hand-built, with individually made parts combined, and then fired in a kiln at a low temperature.

The Tang Dynasty is famous for its dynamic clay horses, intended exclusively for burial. Even in death, members of the wealthy and cosmopolitan Tang society, sought to surround themselves with replicas of the splendid riches they had enjoyed during life. With a history reaching back to before the third century B.C., these objects were buried in tombs to provide for the needs of the deceased in the afterlife. Iconic symbols of Chinese art, horses represented strength, nobility, and the vibrant culture of the Silk Road era.

While original Tang Dynasty horses (618-907 AD) are rare museum pieces, 20th-century reproductions from the 1950s-1980s are popular among collectors. Vintage 20th-century replicas often hold more value than brand-new mass-produced items. Detailed Studio Replicas of exceptional 20th-century versions of superior craftsmanship, are worth $1,000 and up. This sculpture came from a gallery in Beijing, China 46 years ago.

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